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Centennial History 

of 

Harrison, Maine 



Containing 

The Centennial Celebration of iqo5, and 
Historical and Biographical Matter 



Compiled and Edited by 

Alphonso Moulton, Howard L. Sampson 
and Granville Fernald 



7B <n> 

T~ Hi 



"All human beings, not utter savage, long 
for some information about past times." 
Lord Macaulay 









"It is wise for us to recur to the history of 
our ancestors. Those who are regardless -f 

of their ancestors ***** do not per- - j_J 

form their duty to the world." y^ 

Daniel Webster X.-. 



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Published by the Authority of the Tow7i i •'-^ 

Printed by the Southworth Printing Company 

Portland, Maine 

1909 



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PREFACE 



It is under circumstances of peculiar misfortune that 
a large number of the latter pages of this book were written 
and edited for the printer. On June 28, 1908, Alphonso 
Moulton, Esq., the principal author and editor, passed to 
the higher life after a serious illness from an insidious 
and fatal disease. 

The writer hereof having been to some extent a co- 
laborer with Messrs. Moulton and Sampson, compilers and 
editors, for more than three years past, in the composition 
and arrangement of important matter for this work, is 
conscious of the honor and responsibility which is upon 
him, in assuming the duties to which he has been assigned 
by the authority of the Centennial Executive Commitee, 
within whose control, conjointly with the municipal officers 
of the town, the publication of the Centennial History still 
remains. 



The general scheme of the Editorial Committee, as 
communicated to the writer in the beginning of the work 
of preparation of historical matter, was that first : a series 
of sketches of the pioneer families of the town, genealogical, 
and to a degree, biographical, wherever it seemed proper, 
should constitute a large part of the work ; under the be- 
lief that the true history of the town would be best il- 
lustrated by authentic histories of the lives, characters and 
public services rendered, and the part performed by each 
citizen in laying the foundation of prosperity and in pro- 
moting the success of all patriotic institutions, which have, 
to the present time, reflected honor and luster upon their 
generation. This special commemoration of the pioneers 



A HISTORY OF THE 



was not to preclude any necessary or deserved recognition 
of the advent and residence here for a term of years of 
families or individuals, who by education, character or other 
qualification have served the inhabitants of the town in a 
high professional manner in law, medicine, the ministry of 
religion, or in statesmanship; for some of the most de- 
voted and useful citizens of the past and present era, were 
not of the older "first families." Thus, they will observe 
that in some instances those whom our people have "most 
delighted to honor," have been born and educated elsewhere. 
Another equally important feature of the work was to 
be : an accurate review of the religious and civil institutions, 
the general progress of education, and the processes of 
moral culture and social refinement since the organization 
of the town. The plan also contemplated reliable histories 
of the development of the various industries : the improve- 
ments in methods of agriculture; the useful innovations 
m the mechanical arts ; the origin and successes of manu- 
facturing enterprises ; the accession of wealth and business 
importance achieved through the mercantile connections 
of our citizens with other merchants in the large cities 
and by profitable dealing with the people of their section ; 
the establishment of town, church and school buildings,' 
and notable private dwellings; the record of the patrio- 
tism of our people in furnishing troops for the Civil War; 
the surprising advent in late years of the means of travel,' 
conveyance of merchandise and personal communication 
owing to modern scientific discoveries and inventions. The 
elaboration of these different designs has enabled the writers 
to present to the citizens of the town and State, a most 
gratifying word-picture of all the scenes and subjects of 
interest to them or to the strangers who come within our 
gates. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



Attention may be asked to the fine illustration by por- 
traits of the good men and women whose lives are com- 
memorated in this volume, whom some of us knew in their 
lives and whom we all hold in loving remembrance and 
veneration. 

It is sincerely hoped that the citizens of Harrison, hav- 
ing let patience have her "perfect work," will appreciate 
how cautiously the compilers resolved to proceed in every 
step of their labors, so that every statement in this volume 
should bear the stamp of complete authenticity ; for, though 
it was their desire to make a book that, to use a common 
phrase, might be "as interesting as a novel" yet it should 
not be suspected of containing anything even bordering on 
the domain of fiction ; for that is not history. 

The apparent slowness of the progress of compilation 
of the book has been unavoidable. The natural eagerness 
and expectancy of our people to see the work in print has 
been constantly apprehended, and often expressed to the 
authors and editors. Their inexperience in book-writing, 
and the immense demands upon their powers of calculation 
of resources, the failure of many friends to furnish nec- 
essary data for formulation of readable articles, and the 
fact that the main brunt of the undertaking came upon 
one man, whose physical system was being gradually under- 
mined by the approach of a malady so secret and fatal in 
its nature that the result even now appalls us as we re- 
member how suddenly he was called away, is sufficient 
explanation of the seeming delay, and of the subsidence of 
force in an intellect that while toiling incessantly for many 
months in a quest of facts for portraying the careers of 
individuals, and of the lives of fellow mortals like himself, 
the devotedness to the object to which he was committed, 
vividly calls to mind the sacrifice illustrated by the title 
of a famous story, "A Life for a Life." 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



To those friends who have so willingly and readily 
furnished information concerning their family histories and 
other indispensable data for the compilers' use, we express 
our sincere thanks. Without their assistance, we could 
never have brought the work to so complete a conclusion. 

One most valuable assistant, as a guide to the intelligent 
search for, and use of the necessary data pertaining to the 
original pioneers, is the "History of the Settlement and 
Early Settlers of Harrison, Maine, by Rev. Gideon T. Rid- 
lon," a former resident of the town. It was published in 
1877, while a goodly number of the older people were still 
living, who were among the "first born among many breth- 
ren" in the old town. We desire to recognize the invaluable 
merit of that unpretentious work, compiled under circum- 
stances of so much difficulty at that time, and yet with in- 
numerable advantages not possessed by us at the present 
period. In behalf of the citizens of Harrison and adjacent 
towns, we therefore present our sincere acknowledgments 
for the timely assistance we have derived from the use of 
the above mentioned history. 



INDEX TO CUTS 



Long Lake and Shores, Frontispiece 

OPP. PAGE 

Congregational Church, 135 

Baptist Church, I45 

Free Baptist Church, 146 

Odd Fellows Hall. 232 

Harrison Public Library, 328 

Hon. Harrison Blake, 347 

Dr. Silas Blake, 349 

Judge George H. Buck, 381 

Albion Hall Burnham, 388 

Hon. Sumner Burnham, 397 

William Cotton Carsley, 402 

Mrs. Esther (Fogg) Carsley, 403 

Newell Nutting Caswell, 410 

Hon. John Woodsum Caswell, 413 

Hon. Caleb A. Chaplin, 430 

Obadiah Gould Cook, 442 

Hon. Charles Sumner Cook, 443 

Hon. John Dawes, 448 

Mrs. Bethia Carsley Dawes, 449 

Charles Farley, 455 

Granville Fernald, 465 

Enoch Haskell, Sr., 487 

Hon. Melville E. Ingalls, 514 

William Themes Kilborn, 529 

Rev. George Edgar Kneeland 535 

Almon Kneeland, 536 

Mrs. Dorcas (Sands) Kneeland, 537 



OPP. PACE 

Capt. Elliot Libby, 545 

Alphonso Moulton, Esq., 555 

Oliver Peirce, Esq., 564 

Hon. George Peirce, 567 

Mrs. Hester Peirce Greely, 576 

Samuel Pitts, 585 

Mrs. Calista (Stuart) Pitts, 586 

Residence of J. Howard Randall, 587 

Timothy H. Ricker, 588 

Sherburne H. Ricker, 589 

Thomas Robie Sampson, 598 

Rev. Cassander Cary Sampson, 601 

Mrs. Dorothy Scribner, 607 

Stephen F. Tebbetls, 638 

Col. Amos Thomes, 652 

Mrs. Abigail (Higgins) Thomes, 653 

Hon. Philander Tolman, 665 

Mrs. Laura (Kelton) Tolman, 667 

Hon. James H. Tolman, 670 

Mrs. J. H. Tolman, 671 

Franklin Walker, 679 

Charles Walker, Esq., 680 

Mrs. Sally (Barbour) Walker, 681 

Dr. S. Loton Weston, 691 

Mrs.H.Elizabeth( Mead) Weston, 696 

Francis H. Whitman, 699 

Edward Kendall Whitney, 706 



CONTENTS 



PART I. 

The Centennial Celebration. 

PAGE 

Preparing for the Centennial Celebration, 3 

Address of Welcome, by Albert W. Weston, Esq., 17 

Address of Hon. Charles Sumner Cook, 21 

Historical Address by Granville Fernald, Esq., 25 
Address of Hon. j.u ,- ii. Tolman, Esq., of Westbrook, 80 

Centennial rccn, 92 

Centennial Odo, 97 



PART n. 

Historical. 
Chapter I. 

Early History of Maine, 10 1 

Chapter H. 

Scraps of Early Town History, 115 

Sad Events in Harrison, 125 

Chapter HI. 

Proposed New Towns, 127 

Chapter IV. 

Churches in Harrison, 135 



X CONTENTS 

Chapter V. 

Educational Matters, 154 

Chapter VI. 

Transportation in Early Days, 182 

Chapter VII. 

Business Enterprises, 197 

Fires in Harrison, 218 

Chapter VIII. 

Secret Societies, 227 

Temperance Societies, 257 

A Famous Old-Time Fourth of July Celebration, 260 

Chapter IX. 

Agricultural Organizations, 266 

Chapter X. 

Miscellaneous Records, 286 

Harrison in the War of the Rebellion, 316 

Harrison Public Library, 326 

Harrison Village Cemetery Association, 331 



CONTENTS 



PART III. 
Genealogical. 









PAGE 


Apologetic, 






335 


F.AMILY 




FAMILY 




Abbott, 


337 


Foster, 


472 


Barrows, 


340 


Gray, 


475 


Bisbee, 


344 


Hall, 


478 


Blake, 


345 


Harmon, 


480 


Bolster, 


358 


Haskell. 


487 


Brackett, 


360 


Hill, 


493 


Bray, 


371 


Hobbs, 


496 


Briggs, 


375 


Howard, 


500 


Buck, 


377 . 


Huntress, 


502 


Burnham, 


387 


Illsley, 


504 


Carsley, 


398 


Ingalls, 


508 


Caswell, 


406 


Johnson, 


524 


Chadbourne, 


417 


Jordan. 


525 


Chaplin, 


424 


Kilborn, 


526 


Chute, 


440 


Kneeland, 


532 


Cook, 


442 


Lakin, 


538 


Cummings, 


445 


Lamb, 


540 


Dawes, 


448 


Lewis, 


542 


Dorman, 


452 


Libby, 


544 


Eastman, 


454 


Lowell, 


551 


Farley, 


455 


Morse, 


552 


Fernald, 


462 


Moulton, 


554 


Fogg, 


469 


Newcomb, 


559 



Xll 


CONTENTS 




FAMILY 




FAMILY 




Peirce, 


563 


Themes, 


648 


Perley, 


581 


Thompson, 


663 


Pitts, 


585 


Tolman, 


663 


Randall, 


587 


Trafton, 


672 


Ricker, 


588 


Twombly, 


674 


Ross, 


591 


Walker, 


676 


Russell, 


593 


Washburn, 


686 


Sampson, 


594 


Watson, 


688 


Scribner, 


602 


Weston, 


690 


Smith, 


609 


Whitman, 


698 


Springer, 


612 


Whitney, 


701 


Stanley, 


612 


Willard, 


713 


Strout, 


615 


Witham, 


714 


Stuart, 


621 


Woodsum, 


717 


Tebbetts, 


638 






Memoranda, 






724 



PART I, 



The Centennial Celebration 



HARRISON, MAINE, 



Thursdaj', Aug. 3, 1905. 



PREPARING FOR THE CENTENNIAL 
CELEBRATION. 



Or^HE date of the first settlement of Harrison seems to 
-'- be undecided, since Rev. G. T. Ridlon, who made diU- 
gent search in regard to the matter, says in his "Early 
Settlers of Harrison" that John and Nathan Carsley came 
into town with their wives in March, 1793, afterward re- 
turning to Gorham and remaining there until after the birth 
of Nathan's second child in 1796; and, further on, that 
some of the old people claim that John Carsley and his wife 
never returned to Gorham after first coming to Harrison 
in 1793. He says that this is probably true. If the latter 
statement is correct, the first permanent settlement was in 
1793 ; but, if the former supposition is right, it was not 
till 1796 or 1797. This uncertainty in regard to the exact 
date, and the impossibility of deciding the matter, are the 
probable reasons why no attempt was made to celebrate 
the centennial of the first permanent settlement of the town. 
The incorporation of the town on March 8th, 1805, was 
a certain date, which was a matter of record, and early in 
the year of 1904 the matter of celebrating its centennial 
began to be heard of. So far as the writer is aware, Rev. 
C. C. Sampson, of Tilton, N. H., a native of Harrison, was 
the first man to broach the subject, the time being early in 
the summer of that year. The matter did not assume tan- 
gible form until the following December, when S. C. Smith, 



4 A HISTORY OF THE 

Esq., drew up a petition to the Selectmen of the town, 
requesting them to call a citizen's meeting at such a date 
as they might deem advisable, for the purpose of consider- 
ing the matter of suitably celebrating the centennial of the 
incorporation of the town. This petition was numerously 
signed, though there did not seem to be any special en- 
thusiasm in regard to the matter. 

In response to the petition the desired meeting was duly 
called, and was held at the Town Hall on the afternoon 
of Saturday, December loth, 1904. The attendance was 
very small, not over fifteen persons being present. Quincy 
M. Chute, (Chairman of Selectmen), was chosen as Chair- 
man of the meeting, and Howard L. Sampson, (Town 
Clerk), Secretary. There was a general discussion of the 
proposed celebration, and all present favored it. No action 
was taken, except to urge all present to do their utmost 
towards interesting the people of the town in the movement, 
and the meeting adjourned, to meet in one week at the Odd 
Fellows' Banquet Hall. 

The adjourned meeting was largely attended and very 
enthusiastic. After quite a discussion, which called forth 
several stirring speeches, it was voted to choose a com- 
mittee to consider the advisability of holding a centennial 
celebration, and also the matter of suitable exercises for 
such a celebration, if it was deemed best to hold it. Alvin 
P. Ricker, Alphonso Moulton, and William H. Bailey were 
appointed as a committee to select the Centennial Com- 
mittee, and, after due consideration, reported a list of names 
to the meeting which was unanimously adopted, but other 
names were added by nomination from the floor. William 
H. Briggs was elected as Chairman of the Centennial Com- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



mittee, and Alphonso Moulton as Secretary ; and at a 
subsequent meeting, Frank P. Bennett was elected as Treas- 
urer. 

The Citizens' Meeting adjourned, to meet at the same 
place on Saturday, January 14th, for the purpose of hear- 
ing the report of the Committee, and acting upon the same. 
The meeting was held according to the adjournment, and 
the Committee made its report, the main points of it being 
that they recommended "a proper observance of the coming 
Centennial of the Incorporation of the Town, and that the 
exercises be held at such place in the vicinity of Harrison 
Village as may hereafter be determined upon, at some time 
during the coming August ;" and that at the proposed cele- 
bration there be: "(i) An Historical Address, to be pre- 
pared by some suitable person, such person to have been 
at some time a resident of the town; (2) a dinner, to be 
made as extensive as our means will allow; (3) After 
Dinner Speeches from former and present residents of 
Harrison, and Distinguished Visitors from abroad; (4) a 
Band of Music, to be present through the whole of the ex- 
ercises ; (5) a Quartette of Singers; (6) that other fea- 
tures, including a Trades Procession, a Water Carnival, 
a Display of Fireworks, etc., be taken into consideration 
by the Committee that may have charge of the matter in 
the future, and such of them added to the program as 
may be thought advisable, and that the amount of funds 
at the disposal of the Committee may seem to warrant." 
The Committee further recommended that as much money 
as possible be raised by subscription before asking the town 
to appropriate anything. 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The report of the Committee was unanimously adopted, 
and, on motion of S. C. Smith, Esq., it was voted that the 
Committee then acting in the matter, with the addition of 
such persons as the meeting might see fit to add to the 
number, be a Permanent Committee to have full charge 
of all matters relating to the proposed Celebration. Several 
additions were made to the Committee by nominations 
from the floor, and the Centennial Executive Committee, 
as finally constituted, was as follows : 



Centennial Executive Committee. 



William H. Briggs, 
George H. Cummings, 
Alphonso Moulton, 
Howard L. Sampson, 
Dr. James P. Blake, 
Adelbert C. Buck, 
Mrs. Lida T. Randall, 
A. Mellen Thomes, 
Quincy M. Chute, 
Victor L. Jordan, 
Mrs. Cora Dennison, 
Nathaniel H. Seavey, 
Mrs. Alice M. Wilbur, 
Charles F. Ricker, - 
George P. Carsley, 
Ernest L. Gay, 



Mrs. William H. Briggs, 
Almore Haskell, 
George E. Tarbox, 
C. Sumner Whitney, 
James Thomes, 
Mrs. Anna Dudley, 
Mrs. Lizzie Doughty, 
David Kneeland, 
Joseph Pitts, 
Mark H. Sawyer, 
Clarence B. Caswell, 
Mrs. Lena Stone, 
Mrs. Hattie A. Hall, 
Mrs. Louisa H. Foster, 
Mrs. Rebecca Shedd, 
Mrs. Nellie F. Keene, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



Honorary, Non-Resident Members. 

Hon. Melville E. Ingalls, Hon. Charles Sumner Cook, 

Hon. George H. Buck, Albert S. Caswell, Esq., 

Daniel H. Caswell, Esq., Willis E. Carsley, Esq., 

Rev. Cassander C. Sampson, Granville Fernald, Esq., 

William H. Briggs, Chairman. 
Alphonso Moulton, Secretary 
Frank P. Bennett. Treasurer. 

The Committee at once went to work with a will, the first 
work in hand being the provision of the funds necessary 
to meet the expenses of the celebration. A subscription 
paper was drawn up at the first regular meeting of the 
Committee, and the members present at once started the 
ball rolling by pledging about $150. George H. Cummings, 
Esq., was selected to solicit subscriptions, and did very 
effective work, being assisted later on by the Chairman and 
Treasurer of the Committee. 

It had been decided to ask the town for aid, and an ar- 
ticle asking for an appropriation for the purpose was in- 
serted in the warrant for the annual meeting. At the meet- 
ing of the Committee held on March 4th, the Chairman 
reported that $455 had already been subscribed, and, after 
a very full discussion, it was decided to ask the town 
to appropriate $300. At first there seemed to be con- 
siderable opposition to this measure in certain quarters, 
but the matter was handled so skillfully, both before the 
meeting and during the discussion when the article was 
brought up, that the sum asked for was voted unanimously. 



A HISTORY OF THE 



thus placing $755 at the disposal of the Committee, which 
sum was subsequently increased to about $850, which 
proved to be more than enough to carry out in full the pro- 
gram which was afterwards determined upon. 

Being assured of sufificient means the Committee began 
to lay out the work in such a manner as to give assurance 
that the coming Celebration would be one which would 
reflect credit upon the town, and of which every inhabitant, 
or former resident, would be proud, provided that the citi- 
zens co-operated heartily in the work ; and, right here, we 
feel that it is our duty to say that they did this to an extent 
never before equalled in Harrison. All differences were 
hushed, the plans of the Centennial Committee were ac- 
cepted without question, and unity of purpose and most 
earnest work characterized every movement from that time 
on. The full Committee retained the general control over 
all of the work, but the details of the different divisions 
were put in the hands of the following sub-committees : 

Invitations : — Howard L. Sampson, Alphonso Moulton, 
Almore Haskell. 

Reception : — George E. Tarbox, C. Sumner Whitney, 
George H. Cummings, Mrs. Lizzie Doughty, Mrs. 
Lida T. Randall. 

Entertainment and Exercises : — Dr. James P. Blake, 
Clarence B. Caswell, N. H. Seavey, Mrs. Anna Dud- 
ley, ilrs. Lyman Shedd. 

Dinner : — Mrs. Nellie F. Keene, Mrs. Wm. H. Briggs, 
Mrs. Louisa H. Foster. (This Committee was em- 
powered to appoint additional members, and to em- 
ploy such assistance as they found necessary.) 

Decorations : — Joseph Pitts, \'ictor L. Jordan, Quincy 
M. Chute, Charles F. Ricker, David Kneeland, Mrs. 
Cora Dennison, Mrs. Lena Stone. 



TOWX OF HARRISON. 9 

All of the committees entered zealously into the work 
assigned to them, and, though some of the tasks were al- 
most herculean in their proportions, not a single committee 
failed to carry through its work in a manner that was emi- 
nently satisfactory. Neat and tasty printed invitations were 
procured, and about eight hundred of them were sent 
through the mails, the design being to place one at least in 
the hands of each family that had at any time resided in 
the town, and in very many instances these invitations have 
been carefully put away to be treasured as mementoes of the 
"Wonderful Centennial Celebration in 1905." 

It was determined to put the Village in holiday attire, 
and $100 was placed at the disposal of the Committee to 
use in decorating such buildings as could not well be at- 
tended to by individuals or families. The work was placed 
in the hands of the N. E. Flag and Decorating Company, 
of Boston, and right well was the work done under the 
direction of their agent, Mr. C. M. Gates. The residents 
entered heartily into the work, and when all was in readi- 
ness for the celebration, Harrison Village was certainly 
a "thing of beauty" as it appeared with- its "good clothes" 
on. About forty residences, places of business, churches, 
and halls, were decorated to quite an extent, and many of 
them in a very elaborate manner. Indeed there were but 
very few buildings in the vicinity of the Village that did 
not in some way show that the owner recognized the im- 
portance of the great event that was so close at hand. In 
addition to all this, numerous flags and banners were hung 
over the streets, and the Grand Stand where the literary 
exercises were held, was elaborately decorated and draped, 
the whole vicinity being brilliant with the national colors. 



lO A HISTORY OF THE 

Most certainly the decorators did their work faithfully, 
and gave good value for the money that was paid to them. 

The Committee on Entertainment and Exercises de- 
termined at the start to prepare a program that would fur- 
nish ample entertainment for every member of the big 
crowd that was expected, — one that would be varied enough 
to suit all tastes, and long enough to satisfy the most ex- 
acting. Right well did they succeed in every department, 
from the salute at sunrise to the big display of fireworks 
that did not end till late in the evening. Dr. James P. Blake, 
the chairman and resident member, "put his whole soul 
into the work," and labored unceasingly, the other members 
assisting as best they could. 

One feature, which everybody expected, was an Historical 
Address, and Granville Fernald, Esq., of Washington, D. C, 
a former resident of the town, and a man well equipped for 
the work, was selected to prepare it, and at once signified 
his willingness to accept the position. He is an experienced 
and ready writer, with a great fund of information at hand, 
and he received much aid from other parties, especially 
from our popular Town Clerk, Howard L. Sampson, Esq., 
who stood ready to furnish reliable information in regard 
to almost any subject connected with the past history of 
the town. But Mr. Fernald was so hampered by lack of 
time that he was obliged to omit many facts in regard to 
the town and its inhabitants, that he had in his possession, 
an omission which the editors of this book have endeavored 
to make up for as far as possible by the matter inserted 
in the portion devoted to Town History. 

The Committee had hoped to have Harrison's honored 
son, Hon. M. E. Ingalls of Cincinnati, Ohio, preside at the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. II 

Celebration, but his many duties would not permit him to 
be present on that day. It was fortunate in securing another 
worthy son, Hon. Chas. Sumner Cook of Portland, to take 
his place. 

As has already been stated, it was voted at the beginning 
of the preparations to provide a dinner, "to be made as 
extensive as our means will allow." Probably the dinner 
proved to be the source of more trouble, worry, and dis- 
cussion, than everything else connected with the Celebration. 
Some thought it best to feed the Speakers, Band, Officers 
and Committees, and Invited Guests sufficient to make the 
total number two hundred and fifty to three hundred; 
others favored a "picnic dinner" for everybody that saw 
fit to bring food, without any special preparation ; still 
others thought it best to provide for all inhabitants of the 
town, and all former residents ; and others, (and this was 
a numerous class), would be satisfied with nothing less 
than what would practically be a free dinner to everybody. 
The greater part of those who opposed this last proposition, 
did so from the fear that it would prove to be such an 
immense affair that it would end in a dismal failure. But 
their fears were eventually overcome, and a dinner prac- 
tically free to all was the final result, though the decision 
came so late that many did not avail themselves of the 
privilege, although about three thousand (3,000) were fed 
at dinner, and about one-third of that number were pro- 
vided with suppers. After the hunger of this great mul- 
titude was fully appeased, great quantities of food were left 
that the Committee had to dispose of as best they could. 
Harrison dinners, {or suppers), are never a failure. 



12 A HISTORY OF THE 

No one place could be found large enough for such a 
feast as was provided, (except "all out-doors," which was 
thought to be too much exposed), and the vestries of the 
Free Baptist and Congregational Churches and the Town 
Hall, were all utilized, and with all this room the tables 
had to be set "over and over," before the hunger of the 
crowd was fully satisfied. 



The Centennial Celebration. 

This is the long expected day, 

On which all celebrate ; 
And now all work is laid aside 

Till more convenient "date. 
The rich and poor do all unite, — 

As well as high and low, — 
To fitly glorify the day 

One hundred years ago. 
Then it was our loved Harrison 

Did first become a town. 
And in the hundred years since then 

Has grown to much renown. 
Its history since then is such 

That we are feeling proud, 
And think 'tis well to celebrate, 

So gladly join the crowd. 



The day selected for the Celebration was Thursday, Au- 
gust 3rd, 1905, and it was a perfect day in every respect. 
It was clear and bright, the temperature was just right for 
comfort, the recent rain had destroyed every vestige of 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 1 3 

dust, and all nature seemed to have combined to produce 
a day fitted in every way for the great Celebration. At sun- 
rise came the first number on the program — the firing of 
one hundred guns from the Common in the Village. As 
the echoes reverberated over the hills answering echoes 
came from other points, where muskets were fired, rocks 
blasted, dynamite cartridges exploded, and other means 
adopted by which the people could give vent to their en- 
thusiastic patriotism. The day was fitly ushered in, and 
the Centennial Celebration well begun. 

People from all parts of the country had flocked back 
to their native town, and almost every residence was for 
the time being made the home of guests, the capacity of 
some of them being taxed to their utmost. Never before 
had any event in the vicinity called out such a crowd as 
that which gathered together on that long-to-be-remembered 
3rd of August. To the hundreds who had previously ar- 
rived thousands were added on the morning of the Celebra- 
tion, till good judges estimated that the number present 
was about four thousand ; and it is but justice to say that 
a more orderly gathering never came together. The ar- 
rangements for preserving order were elaborate, and well 
nigh perfect. Not only were all local officers on duty, but 
uniformed policemen had been summoned from Portland, 
and the County Sheriff and a part of his Deputies were 
present and on the alert for the apprehension of all wrong- 
doers. So perfect were these arrangements, and so well 
was it known that everything possible would be done to 
prevent the sale of the liquid that is so detrimental to good 
order, that those who are generally supposed to be engaged 
in such business were very "conspicuous for their absence." 



14 A HISTORY OF THE 

At 8.30 came the Parade, and very few had much idea 
of what it was to contain. It was generally supposed that 
there would be some half dozen teams, decorated to some 
extent, but none were prepared for the gorgeous spectacle 
which slowly came into view from the Bridgton road, and 
marched through all of the principal streets of the Village. 
First came the Marshal of the Day, Mr. Andrew B. Jordan, 
mounted on horseback, and attended by two uniformed po- 
licemen. Next was the Norway Brass Band of nineteen 
pieces, Frank H. Kimball leader, and following were some 
twenty wagons, floats, barges, etc., beautifully decorated, 
and drawn by gaily caparisoned horses. All trades and 
industries were represented, even to the summer boarders 
from the cities, who claimed the right to assist in the cele- 
brating of the Centennial of the town to which they had 
become so much attached during the summers in which they 
had made it their hom.e. One writer well said: "It was a 
spectacle which reflected great credit on its promoters, and 
was viewed with keen pleasure by natives and visitors 
alike." 

The Literary Exercises were held in the spacious grounds 
adjoining the Crystal Lake House, and near the shores of 
the pretty little sheet of water now known as Crystal Lake, 
but in the "olden time" bearing the name of "Anonymous 
Pond." A large stand erected in the shade of the spread- 
ing elms, and near to the main street, was nearly encircled 
by a line of flags and banners, while in front was an arch 
of flags and bunting, on which appeared the word "Wel- 
come" in immense letters. William H. Briggs, Esq., Chair- 
man of the Executive Committee, called the meeting to 
order, and Albert W. Weston, Chairman of the Board of 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



Selectmen, was the Temporary Chairman, and made the 
Address of Welcome. Hon Chas. Sumner Cook of Port- 
land, was the President of the Day. The Norway Brass 
Band, and the Norway Quartet were present through the 
day. The full program of Exercises appears below : 



Peogr.\m of Centennial Celebration. 

Sunrise, . . . Salute of loo guns. 

8.30 A. M. Parade, headed by Norway Brass Band. 

9.30 a. m. Band Concert, . Norway Band. 

10.30 A. M. Commencement of Literary Exercises. 
Introduction of Temporary Chairman, 

by William H. Briggs, Esq. 
Address of Welcome by Temporary Chairman, 

Albert W. Weston, Esq. 



Prayer, 

Singing, 

Address of President, 

Music, 

Historical Address, 



Rev. E. Z. Whitman. 
Norway Quartet. 
Hon. Chas. Sumner Cook. 
Norway Brass Bafid. 
Granville Fernald, Esq. 
Dinner. 
Continuation of Literary Exercises. 

Band. 

Rev. C. C. Sampson. 

Norway Quartet. 

Rev. Fred E. Winn. 

Band. 

Hon. Geo. A. Hibbard. 

Quartet. 

A. E. Morse, Esq. 

Mrs. Grace Bray Pugsley. 

Judge Jas. H. Tolman. 

Hon. Amos L. Allen. 

Quartet. 



1.30 p. M. 
Music, 
Address, 
Singing, 
Address, 
Music, 
Address, 
Singing, 
Reading, 
Centennial Poem 
Address, 
Address, 
Singing of Centennial Ode 



l6 A HISTORY OF THE 

2.30 P. M. Base Ball Game, Harrison vs. Naples. 

3.30 p. M. Athletic Field and Water Sports, in charge of 
Mr. Guy Simpson, and carried on by members of 
Camps Kineo, Long Lake, and Katahdin. 
7.30 p. M. Band Concert. 
Water Carnival. 
Grand Display of Fireworks. 



A full report of Addresses and Poems, as far as they 
could be obtained, follows. Some of the speakers used 
neither manuscript nor notes, and it is to be regretted that 
no report of their addresses could be obtained. 

Ever3fthing during the whole day passed off smoothly, 
there being not a single "hitch" from start to finish. The ex- 
ercises lasted till sunset, but still the crowd lingered. Some 
had hurriedly returned to their homes to do some necessary 
work and return in haste, so as to be in season to witness 
the evening show. Great numbers had remained on the 
grounds, and special and regular trains on the B. & S. R. R. 
came filled to repletion. More than two thousand people 
had gathered on the shores of Long Lake by the time that 
the "shades of night" had covered the land. They listened 
with pleasure to the Band Concert, and were delighted 
witnesses of the Water Carnival and Display of Fireworks, 
remaining till the last piece was set off, and even then be- 
ing in no haste to depart to their homes. All were delighted 
and satisfied with the events of the day. Old acquaintances 
of bygone years had been renewed ; friends who had not 
met for many years had been reunited, and the scenes and 
events of the olden times had been recalled and reviewed ; 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 17 

families whose members had long been scattered had been 
once more called together, and many of the vacant chairs 
filled with living, breathing forms, as of yore; sorrows and 
afflictions had for the time been laid aside and forgotten in 
the joy and happiness that reigned supreme. It had been a 
great, a glorious, and never-to-be-forgotten day, but, like 
every other earthly thing, it had to come to an end. The 
crowd had departed, the Great Celebration is but a thing 
of the past, and only its memory remains, to be recalled in 
the years to come, when will come to its participants a 
thrill of joy and pride as they think of its "glittering pag- 
eants," its thronging crowds of happy men and women, and 
its great and wonderful success. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

By Albert W. Weston, Esq. 



At the opening of the literary exercises the immense 
audience was called to order by the Chairman of the Cen- 
tennial Committee, William H. Briggs, Esq., who briefly 
spoke of the purpose of the meeting, and then in a few well- 
chosen words introduced the Temporary Chairman, Albert 
W. Weston, who spoke as follows : 



l8 A HISTORY OF THE 

Visiting Friends and Former Residents: — 

In extending to you the hospitality of this town, the mu- 
nicipal authorities and the citizens unite in offering you a 
hearty welcome worthy of the respect and admiration that 
we have for your interest in this celebration. 

FeUozv Citizens: I welcome you as members of a most 
numerous family, a power upon which we must rely for 
the security and defence of our town and its interests. 

To each and every one I extend a most hearty welcome 
to this, the greatest event which has taken place since the 
town was incorporated, and such a one as none of us who 
are here today will, in all probability, ever have the privilege 
of attending again. I know not what kind of weather 
prevailed in this vicinity on the 8th of March, in the year 
of grace, 1805, but it was a blessed day because it gave to us 
a united community, a town. 

From the feeble beginnings we feel assured that the 
watchword of our forefathers was progress, that foremost 
in the minds of those earnest workers, those hearty pro- 
gressive men and women who made their home here on 
God's green acres, holding communion with Mother Nature 
and living the life which is calculated to make men most 
noble because of surroundings and unlimited possibilities, 
was to lay the foundations of a town that would endure for 
all time. 

Today we claim for our town a population of about one 
thousand inhabitants, with a flourishing mercantile and 
mechanical business. 

We have among us those who are interested in the higher 
branches of literature and science, whom we claim as worthy 
representatives of the culture of our town. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I9 

Wherever the stars and stripes wave we are glad to ac- 
knowledge that we are American citizens. Wherever we 
go we are justly proud to call Harrison our town. Why? 
Because it is not a land unknown, nay, it is widely known. 

Her scenic charms are unrivalled. Artists, and nearly 
every other class and profession, make annual pilgrimages 
to, and long sojourns in, this lovely land of lakes and 
streams, hills and dales, forests and streams and rural vil- 
lages. College professors, prominent city business men, 
railway magnates, sportsmen and pleasure seekers, the 
weary and the sick to whom quiet invigorating country air, 
sunshine and healthful diet are necessary — all, are repre- 
sented in the summer crowd of Harrison-hieing pilgrims. 
These have come and gone for years. Long before our 
present rail facilities, when to a certain extent Harrison 
was isolated, either by way of the stage coach from Nor- 
way, or the little steamer from Sebago Lake, the summer 
guest found us out. 

Undoubtedly our ancestors wondered what there could 
be to attract people who had travelled over the new world, 
perhaps the old, to this good but out of the way town ; but 
succeeding generations came to realize, and we today know, 
that this indeed is a land which, though not literally flowing 
with milk and honey, is a mecca of rare promise. 

The past we know. The future lies before us. But as 
we can only judge of man's future by his past, so must we 
judge of the future of our town. The past has accom- 
plished the marvellous results which we are enjoying today ; 
which we are glad to honor by this celebration, and more 
fully enjoy by welcoming all of you to share in our festivi- 
ties. 



20 A HISTORY OF THE 

And we feel assured that the wonderful achievements 
of the century now at an end will be more than doubly 
wonderful when the town of Harrison shall celebrate its 
two hundredth anniversary at the end of the next hundred 
years. 



Following the address of welcome was a most fervent, 
eloquent and appropriate prayer by Rev. E. Z. Whitman, 
pastor of the Free Baptist Church at Harrison Village, after 
which was singing by the Norway Quartet, composed of 
Mrs. Ida M. Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. Verne Whitman, and 
Mr. F. E. Tower, with Mrs. H. L. Home as accompanist 
on the piano. 

Hon. Charles Sumner Cook of Portland, son of the late 
Obadiah G. Cook of Harrison, and member of the well- 
known law firm of Symonds, Snow, Cook & Hutchinson, 
was then introduced as the President of the Day, and spoke 
as follows : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 21 



ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES SUMNER COOK. 
President of the Meeting. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 

I appreciate very much the honor of being asked to pre- 
side at this celebration of the centennial of the town of 
Harrison. The distinction is especially agreeable to me 
because it seems to justify me in the pleasant thought that 
to the people of this town I am still one of them, privileged 
on this anniversary, to extend the hand of welcome to 
others, and not a stranger myself returning for a day. Out 
of it comes to me the delightful consciousness that there is 
no real absence for him who still remains in the kind re- 
membrance of his friends. 

I have looked forward with peculiar pleasure to my par- 
ticipation in this celebration. We cannot, I think, fail to 
feel the charm that comes from the contemplation of a 
century's history of a community, woven as it is out of the 
hopes, the struggles, the bitterness and the victories of men 
and women like ourselves. To people who have lived be- 
fore us, to ourselves, and to those who shall succeed us, 
the problem of life is much the same. The equation varies 
with the minor factors of time and place and outward 
circumstance, but the essential terms, the great controlling 
sources and motives of human action, remain constant. 



22 A HISTORY OF THE 

The same mean greed and cowardice and cruelty debase, 
the same courage and lofty purposes stimulate and ennoble, 
the same love and self-sacrifice make kind and holy, the 
same pity and sweet forgiveness make peace, the same 
longing and love of God bring faith and hope of Heaven. 

How, then, the people of any community solved for 
themselves this complex problem, the same in all its es- 
sentials as that with which we ourselves are now confronted, 
cannot fail to be of fascinating interest to all of us. But 
to me, and to many of you, there is something in this an- 
niversary of more vital interest than attaches to the histories 
of communities in general. It is that strictly personal in- 
terest that comes from the fact that the history of this town 
is but a record of the lives of our own ancestors and 
families and personal friends — yes, and of ourselves. The 
very scenes make part of us. We are at home, thronged 
with all its associations and sacred memories. To no man 
or woman among us all should they appeal in vain. 

My father lived in this town for more than thirty years 
and lies buried within its borders. He gave service to the 
town as a member of its board of selectmen, and for many 
years took a most active part in the advancement and 
management of its schools. Its affairs were always of in- 
terest to him, and the progress and advancement of the town 
were never subjects to which he was indifferent or unwill- 
ing to give his earnest effort. 

My own childhood and youth were passed here, and no 
other scenes or associations have greater fascination for 
me. One needs not to reach the limit of old age, according 
to the usual acceptation of the phrase, to feel the charm that 
lies in a renewal of such scenes and associations. How- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 23 

ever far, or with whatever completeness he is apparently 
separated from them, they still linger with him, waiting 
only his listening ear to overcome him with their sweet 
persuasiveness. What careless freedom, what abundant 
hope, what wide ambitions and pleasant-ending dreams 
come trooping with them ! They flood us again with the 
old life, and with earnest thankfulness we feel the welcome 
rest and reassurance that they bring. Taking a wide view, 
it is hardly possible, I think, for any one to realize the 
eventfulness of the last century. It forms but the most tri- 
fling fraction of all the ages that have preceded us, yet within 
its limits there have taken place the most wonderful prog- 
ress and development in the world's history. Its opening 
saw almost the beginning of the national government, now 
grown from its then weak and provincial position to a leader 
among the nations of the world ; its population increased 
to nearly eighty millions ; its area extending over more 
than three and one-half million square miles ; its indus- 
tries colossal ; its wealth fabulous ; and above all its mighty 
influence standing for universal liberty, enlightenment and 
peace. 

It has seen tyranny and oppression for many people 
blotted out forever, and in its later years a so-called bar- 
barous nation suddenly emerge into highest civilization and 
progressive power. 

In matters of material progress the illustrations which 
it furnishes are well-nigh dazzling. The steamboat, the 
railroad, the telegraph and telephone, those mighty and 
mystic forces for the interchange of commerce and intelli- 
gence, have had their beginning, and their Aladdin-like de- 
velopment within its span. Science, art, philanthropy, 



24 A HISTORY OF THE 

higher education for the masses, and comfortable and 
reasonable living, all have been advanced with marvellous 
pace until it seems at times to one who casts a backward 
look, as if the past held all there was or could be of progress 
or improvement. 

But an occasion of this kind ought not to be given over 
wholly to retrospection, however fascinating and alluring 
that may be. We may with benefit seek the inspiration of 
the victories of the past, and we certainly ought to take 
advantage of its various lessons, that we may tread, if at 
all, at least with more cautious steps, the paths wherein the 
dangers of the past have proved to be. But the successes 
and triumphs of the past are to the credit of those who 
wrought them. So far as our ancestors have part in them 
they are of special interest to us, and we may rightly extol 
them and feel the pride and inspiration which they bring. 
But in them we should find incentive, not contentment. 
Our duty is to win the victories of the present. With the 
wider horizon and the clearer view from the heights gained 
for us by the courage and effort and self-sacrifice of our 
forefathers, we should not fail to realize that our own 
responsibilities take wider range. These must be met and 
if, in turn, we would be worthy to be remembered by suc- 
ceeding generations, we may look backward only for the 
moment. The heights still tower above, and if we reach 
to higher points it must needs be only by our constant effort 
and our best endeavor. If we give these we may take 
little heed of the measure of our ascent. We may be sure 
of this, however, that from honesty of purpose and labor 
fairly done, come not regret or shameful failure. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 25 

I want to add to the welcome already extended, my own 
word of welcome to you all. The freedom of the town is 
yours, and we hope that its hospitality will be found warm 
enough, and ample enough to make every son and daughter 
more loyal, and every guest a friend. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS, 

Delivered by Granville Fernald, Esq., at the 

Harrison Centennial Celebration, held 

ON August 3RD, 1905. 



Mr. Chairman and Fellozv Citizens: — 

By the esteemed appointment of your committee it is my 
privilege and pleasure to present to you an address in the 
nature of an historical review of the incidents attending 
the incorporation of this town of Harrison, and the prin- 
ci|)al events illustrating her progress to this time. 

This is an occasion, dear friends, not only for looking 
backward to the days of our revered ancestors, and com- 
memoiating their lives and deeds, but for the interchange 
of greetings and congratulations ; for friendly clasping of 
welcoming hands ; for seeing "eye to eye," and speaking 
"heart to heart;" in short, for taking general account of 



26 A HISTORY OF THE 

our emotions, and indulging in such expressions of senti- 
ment as are appropriate to a reunion like the present. 

While the citizens of Harrison are demonstrating their 
public spirit, and the magnificent quality of their hospi- 
tality, in this gracious reception of her returning sons and 
daughters, and her multitude of neighboring friends, I de- 
sire, in behalf of those, who like myself, have come to this 
first glad festival of the centuries after years of absence 
from the old home, to express the feeling of gladness that 
is thrilling us who are so happily received. It is the un- 
speakable pleasure of beholding again the well-remembered 
faces, and the scenes and places hallowed to us by their 
dear associations of earlier years. 

I think that the sweetest emotion of our nature is joy. 
A very common occasion for the excitement of this grand 
emotion is aptly described in a little poem that I have seen: 

"There is joy in sailing outward. 
Though we leave upon the pier, 
With faces grieved and wistful, 
The friends we hold most dear; 
And the sea may roll between us — 
Perhaps for many a year. 
There is joy in climbing mountains. 
In fording rushing brooks ; 
In poking into places 
That we've read about in books ; 
In meeting lots of people 
With unfamiliar looks. 
But the joy of joys is ours, 
Untouched by any pain. 
When we take the home-bound steamer, 
And catch the home-bound train : 
O, there's nothing half so pleasant 
As coming home again." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 2-J 

Yes, "there's no place like home" to him or her whose 
constitution of soul and body received its first and ever- 
lasting principles of life and vigor from the native elements 
of the earth, the air, and the sky, amid the influences of the 
education and the associations of that "dearest spot of 
earth." 

But there is another emotion to be reckoned with, closely 
related to joy. It is thankfulness ; deep, unspeakable 
gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His goodness and 
innumerable mercies. For appropriate language to ade- 
quately express our common tribute, I will adopt the words 
of Walt Whitman, the "Good Gray Poet," when, nearly at 
the close of life, he utters the feelings of a devout and 
grateful heart: 

"Thanks in old age — thanks ere I go. 
For health, the mid-day sun, the impalpable air — 
For life, mere life. 

For precious, ever lingering memories 
Of you, my mother dear, you father — 
You brothers, sisters, friends : — 
For all my days — not those of peace alone, 
The days of war the same : 

For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands; 
For shelter, wine and meat, for sweet appreciation ; 
For beings, groups, love, deeds, books, for colors, 

forms ; 
For brave, strong men : devoted, hardy men. 
Who sprung forward in freedom's help through all 

years, in all lands ; 
For braver, stronger, more devoted men. 
The cannoneers of song and thought — 
The great artillerists, the foremost leaders, 
Captains of the Soul : 

As soldier from an ended war returned — 
As traveler out of myriads 
In the long procession retrospective — 
Thanks, joyful thanks ! 
A soldier's, traveler's thanks 1" 



28 A HISTORY OF THE 

Thus, dear friends, do we recognize the kind Providence 
which permits us to come together to this festival of reverent 
and glad remembrance of our fathers and mothers, who won 
this fair town from the wilderness, by dint of resolute 
struggle with nature, and by patience, by industry, by de- 
votedness to the main chance, (which we call thrift), con- 
quered and surmounted the thousands of obstacles always 
obstructing the path of the pioneer. 

I would give you a picture of the ambitious, adventurous 
first settlers, as they came scores, or hundreds, of miles, 
through an unbroken forest ; full of courage and hopeful- 
ness, with high purpose of hearts, with quality of faith 
and zeal akin to that which animates God's missionary as 
he penetrates the fearful, far-away abodes of savagery and 
heathendom. But after a few days of toilsome tramping, 
the weary home-seekers arrive at the chosen spot, the 
promised land of their day-dreams and nightly visions. 

The woodman's axe, wielded by sturdy arms, soon opens 
a space for the sun's rays to light up the surface of the land, 
lately and from pre-historic times possessed by shadows 
and gloom. The homestead grows wider in measure of 
cleared acres ; the rough, forbidding aspect of the chosen 
plat soon becomes a scene of contentment, and verdant 
beauty ; luxurious vegetation follows the work of the plow, 
and the "man with the hoe," and his brave, patient, and re- 
sourceful wife, reinforced in a few years by the willing 
hearts and strong hands of stalwart sons and daughters, 
find themselves in partnership with Nature in redeeming 
the wilderness to civilization and all that pertains to the 
welfare of humanity and earthly happiness. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 29 

This crude sketch of pioneer beginnings is presented 
as an object of momentary reflection as we pass to other 
views and considerations of the historic incidents of the 
first settlement in this virgin territory, which, with all the 
improvements wrought by the skill of the fathers, we in- 
herit from them with its fair landscape of hill and valley, 
river and lake, and the greater inheritance of civil and re- 
ligious liberty, education and good government, received 
from the founders of the republic, and protected by their 
loyalty and patriotism. It is an imperfect, but sincere, 
recognition of the services performed by the fathers of the 
town for us. For, while they were serving the generation 
in which they lived, they were serving those who in process 
of time should occupy their places in all civic and social 
relations, and perpetuate the rule of good order and peace- 
ful condition in every neighborhood, and thus do honor to 
the men and women who endowed us with so worthy a 
patrimony of good citizenship. 

Under the limitations imposed upon me as to time, I 
refrain from further reference to the high character and 
beneficent example of our fathers and mothers, except to 
say : they were a God-fearing and truth-loving people ; they 
believed and venerated the sacred scriptures : the Bible 
was the book of all books, a treasure of priceless value. 
Upon its precepts and inspiration were founded the faith, 
the morality, the regard for justice and humanity that 
characterized their lives, and influenced their relations to 
each other. 

Upon those principles was raised their bright standard 
of truth and patriotism, and neighborly kindness, and lov- 
ing sympathy for those under oppression from tyrannical 



30 A HISTORY OF THE 

rulers, or from the exacting cruelty of task-masters under 
modern systems of chattel slavery. 

Many of the pioneers had fought for liberty and inde- 
pendence in the famous campaigns under Washington and 
Lafayette and others of the renowned leaders in that great 
conflict of arms ; and when peace came, they joined the 
rush of migration to the virgin lands of the District of 
Maine. From 1783, when the war closed, to 1820, when 
Maine became a State, there was a rapid influx of settlers, 
and building up of many of the best townships into thickly 
settled communities, with churches, schools, and well or- 
dered local governments. In the year 1804, one year before 
Harrison became a town, twenty-one towns were incor- 
porated in the District of Maine by the General Court of 
Massachusetts. The year 1805, witnessed but one town 
incorporated besides Harrison. It was the town of Newry. 

The history of a nation, State, or even a town, is the 
history of its people, especially of its pioneer settlers. Of 
the advent of the pioneer settlers who came in most cases 
from Massachusetts, and their public acts in the establish- 
ment of local governments, I will tell you the story in as 
brief and simple a manner as possible. 

This treatment of my subject involves a hasty glance 
at the history of the plantation and town of Otisfield, from 
which a large portion of the town of Harrison was taken. 
The town of Otisfield was granted to Hon. James Otis, 
Nathaniel Gorham, and the other heirs of Capt. John Gor- 
ham in Massachusetts, for services in the military expe- 
dition to Canada in 1690. 

This grant was by authority of an act of the General 
Court of Massachusetts, passed in 1770, and was based 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 3 1 

on the condition that the grantees should settle thirty fam- 
ilies, and a learned Protestant minister, in the township 
within five years. The proprietors resided in Boston, Gro- 
ton, Watertown, Wrentham, and Woburn. They held fre- 
quent meetings in Boston to advance the settlement of the 
new town. 

Harrison Gray Otis of Boston, the heir and successor 
of James Otis, was the principal proprietor of these lands, 
and it is in order to give a few facts concerning the dis- 
tinguished man whose names have been honored by their 
appropriation to the two towns whose history is the subject 
of the present address. I quote from an article which 
appeared in the Oxford County Advertiser early in this 
year : 

Harrison — Gray — Otis. 

Otisfield, which has the distinction of being the most 
northerly town in the county of Cumberland, and which 
has passed the century mark as a town seven years ago, was 
in a sense the parent of both Harrison and Naples, since 
the original grant included, besides the territory of the 
present town, nearly all of Harrison and a large part of 
Naples. 

It was granted to James Otis and others for their services 
in the French and Indian wars — James Otis, the eloquent 
advocate who made the great speech in Boston against the 
enforcement of the British navigation acts, and who was 
set upon by British officers, and nearly killed. His nephew, 
the son of his brother, Samuel A. Otis, was Harrison Gray 
Otis, mayor of Boston, and United States Senator from 
Massachusetts. 



32 A HISTORY OF THE 

He it was after whom, as one of the proprietors of the 
grant, the north Cumberland county towns were named, 
and who had a descendant of the same name, General Har- 
rison Gray Otis, still living in California. 

Please keep in mind the fact that from the coming of 
the first settler to this territory, to the date of the incorpo- 
ration of Harrison, was thirty years, during which all the 
inhabitants therein from the eastern line of Otisfield to 
the shore of Long Pond, were under the same municipal 
government, acting together for the interests of the plan- 
tation and town, by the name of Otisfield. She was, to use a 
common phrase, "the mother of Harrison." The earliest 
record of any transaction pertaining to the settlement and 
location of public improvements in the plantation of Otis- 
field is found in the original book of the proprietors' re- 
cords, which is preserved in the office of the Town Clerk 
of Otisfield, an abstract of which I have the pleasure to 



Meeting of Proprietors in Boston. 

June 1st, 1774. Proprietors met "to treat with George 
Peirce of Groton, who offers to build a saw and grist mill." 

October i6th, 1776. Voted "to employ Mr. Peirce to 
build a bridge across Crooked River, who engaged to build 
the same, and warrant it for five years, at his own e.xpense 
— the bridge to be approved by a committee of the Pro- 
prietors, for which the Proprietors are to pay him £30, or 
as they may chuse to pay his accounts for said bridge." 

October i6th, 1776. Voted "the name of the township 
be Otisfield." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 33 

Boston, June 12th, 1777. Voted "that Wm. Gorham, 
Esq., and George Peirce, be employed to run the line be- 
tween Otisfield and Raymond town, and if they can't jointly 
attend to it, they are severally empowered." 

September 30th, 1779. Voted "that Col. Wm. Prescott 
be a committee to repair to Otisfield to inspect the Mills, 
Bridges and Roads, and to inquire whether Mr. Peirce has 
completed running the boundaries of the Township, and 
to do as he may judge proper whatever is necessary for the 
further settlement of the Township, and report the same 
as soon as may be." 

July 27th, 1782. \'oted "that George Peirce and Mr. 
Gorham be a committee to cut out Country road, and build 
a bridge, getting a warrant from the builder that it shall 
last five years." 

When the first meeting of the proprietors was held in 
Boston, June i, 1774, there was not a person living upon 
the plantation. It was a virgin forest, upon which, as the 
Irishman said, "the hand of man had never set foot." 
It is interesting to imagine the magnificence of that terri- 
tory, the grandeur of the gigantic pines, the beauty of the 
towering spruces and balsam firs, the huge oaks, maples, 
and beeches, and to note in fancy the great variety of grace- 
ful birches, and the smaller deciduous trees and shrubs, 
that made the primitive forest an object of admiration to the 
pioneer woodsman. 

When that first meeting was held George Peirce was re- 
siding in Groton, Massachusetts, and probably had not 
visited the place in which the years of his remaining life 
were to be spent in active labor as agent for the proprietors 
of the plantation, and as one of the leading citizens of 



34 A HISTORY OF THE 

Otisfield. But in 1775, July i8th, according to an au- 
thentic record, he arrived with his family, and entered upon 
a lot of land selected for the site of a home. That spot 
was at the falls on Crooked River, for more than twenty- 
five years thereafter known as Peirce's Falls, but which, 
since the purchase of that valuable water-power and other 
property by Col. Thomas Edes in the early part of the last 
century have been known as Edes's Falls. 

From the abstract of the proprietors' records already 
introduced, it will be understood how wide was the scope 
of the duties of George Peirce, the pioneer proprietor's 
agent for sale of lands to new settlers, carpenter, land sur- 
veyor, and local county magistrate, or Justice of the Peace. 



First Settlers in Otisfield. 

Here then, was the man selecte:l by the proprietors of 
the plantation to be the pioneer settler, and act as their 
agent in surveying lands, and superintending their settle- 
ment by seekers for new homes. He built the first bridge 
at the falls, and the first saw mill, — which was swept away 
by freshets and destroyed. 

Mr. Peirce married Deborah Tarbelle of Watertown, or 
Groton. They had four children, all of whom were born 
in Massachusetts. Oliver, their second son, was destined 
to be most distinguished in manhood for his successful 
business career in Otisfield and Harrison. Mary, his eldest 
daughter, married Mr. Benjamin Patch, who came from 
Groton a year after the Peirce family. Mr. Patch was a 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 35 

prosperous man, and laid the foundations of a noble estate 
and a very worthy succession. 

Levi Patch, the son of Benjamin, was the principal suc- 
cessor to his father, and was for many years one of the 
leading citizens of Otisfield, and held the office of Post- 
master, and other public positions, with much credit. He 
was a gentleman of the older school of patriots. 

From 1775 to 1780, there came other settlers to Otisfield, 
notably Daniel Cobb of Gorham, who settled a mile above 
Peirce's Falls on the east side of the river. His son, 
William G. Cobb, was born October 14, 1779, the first male 
child born in Otisfield. Joseph Spurr came from Wren- 
tham, ]\'Iassachusetts, in 1779, and brought and raised a 
numerous family of sons and daughters. The same year 
came Maj. Jonathan Moors, also from Wrentham, and 
Samuel Reed of Groton, whose descendants still own and 
occupy the fine old farm a half mile from Otisfield Hill. 

In 1780, came David Ray of Wrentham, with his wife — 
Eunice Whiting — and two daughters. He settled near 
Peirce's Falls a half mile west of the river. Here his third 
child was born. He was a near neighbor, and a useful 
assistant, to Mr. Peirce, and, as a settler, was on intimate 
terms with the proprietors, and was employed by them to 
build a grist mill and saw mill, which were located at the 
outlet of Saturday Pond, a mile northeast of Otisfield Hill, 
whither Mr. Ray removed from the Falls in 1783. Mr. Ray 
had served nearly five years in the Revolutionary War, in 
the Massachusetts line, first as Sergeant, then as Lieu- 
tenant, under a commission from the Colony, and as sur- 
geon's mate, or assistant surgeon, having received a medical 
education. 



2,6 A HISTORY OF THE 

Dr. Ray was, during his life, next to Mr. Peirce, the most 
prominent leader in public movements for advancing the 
interests of the plantation, which was organized May 15, 
1787, twelve years after the arrival of the first settler. 

The first Congregational Church was organized with eight 
members, November 23, 1797, at Dr. Ray's residence, and 
Rev. Thomas Roby was installed its pastor on the same day. 
The following persons were members of the church : 
Thomas Thurston, George Peirce, Elisha Turner, Joseph 
Spurr, Elias Hancock, Miriam Spurr, Joseph Hancock, 
Enoch Spurr. 

The first meeting-house was erected on Otisfield Hill, 

1795-7- 

The plantation of Otisfield was incorporated by Act of 
the General Court of Massachusetts, on February 19, 1798. 
The Committee of the inhabitants to present the petition 
for incorporation were George Peirce, David Ray, and 
Samuel Gammon. 

The new area of the town at its incorporation was from 
Raymondtown on the south to Waterford on the north, from 
Hebron (since Oxford) on the east to Bridgton on the west. 

The first town meeting was held May 15, 1787. After 
the incorporation of Otisfield, the settlement of the town 
rapidly increased, especially in the section west of Crooked 
River, which was destined to be set off from the parent 
town, and become a separate corporation. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 37 

How Harrison Became a Town. 

The Act to incorporate the town of Harrison is found in 
the laws of Massachusetts, Chapter XXXIV, 1805, and is 
entitled: "An Act to incorporate the northwesterly part 
of the town of Otisfield, and the easterly part of the town 
of Bridgton, in the County of Cumberland, into a separate 
town by the name of Harrison." 

Sec. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the au- 
thority of the same : That the tract of land described with- 
in the following bounds, namely : — beginning at a white 
pine tree marked and standing in the northwesterly corner 
of said Otisfield : from hence running North, 65 degrees 
east, 1,296 rods to the northeasterly corner thereof: from 
hence South, 25 degrees east 456 rods to a stake and stones : 
from thence North, 65 degrees east about 15 rods to 
Crooked River : from thence southerly down the middle 
of said river, until a line drawn south, 65 degrees west, from 
the middle of said river, will strike the southeasterly corner 
of the town of Bridgton: thence from said corner, South, 
65 degrees west, 680 rods to the easterly side of Long Pond : 
from thence northerly by the easterly shore of said pond 
to a pitch pine tree standing in the northwest corner of 
James Sampson's lot : from thence North, 65 degrees east, 
140 rods to the line between Bridgton and Otisfield: from 
thence North, 25 degrees west, 530 rods to the place of 
beginning : — with the inhabitants thereon, be, and they 
hereby are, incorporated into a town by the name of Har- 
rison : and the said town is hereby vested with all the 
powers, privileges, and immunities, which other towns in 
this Commonwealth do, or may, by law enjoy. 



38 A HISTORY OF THE 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted: That the said town of 
Harrison sliall pay all arrearages of taxes which have been 
assessed upon them, together with their proportion of all 
debts which may be due and owing by either of said towns 
of Otisfield and Bridgton prior to the date of this act : and 
that all property, rights and credits of said towns of Otis- 
field and Bridgton shall be received and enjoyed by the 
said town of Harrison, according to the proportion of the 
taxes of said towns of Otisfield and Bridgton, as assessed 
from the last tax bills. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted that of all State and 
County taxes which shall be levied and required of said 
towns of Otisfield and Bridgton previous to a new valu- 
ation, the said town of Harrison shall pay twenty cents on 
the one thousand dollars : thirteen cents whereof shall be 
deducted from the sum now charged to the town of Otis- 
field, and the remaining seven cents shall be deducted from 
the sum now charged to the town of Bridgton. 

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted : That Enoch Perley, Esq., 
be, and he is hereby empowered to issue his warrant di- 
rected to some suitable inhabitant within said town, requir- 
ing him to warn a meeting of the inhabitants thereof at 
such time and place as shall be expressed in said warrant, 
for the purpose of choosing such town officers as other 
towns are empowered to choose in the month of March or 
April, annually. 

This act passed March i8th, 1805. In pursuance of the 
authority of the foregoing act of incorporation, Enoch 
Perley, Esq., a Justice of the Peace, issued his warrant in 
the following form: 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 39 

j ^^^' ( Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Cumberland, ss. 

To Naphthali Harmon of Harrisonin said County, Greeting: 

You are hereby required in the name of the said Com- 
monwealth, to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Har- 
rison duly qualified in town affairs as the law directs, to 
meet at your own house in said Harrison on Monday, the 
twenty-sixth day of August instant, at eleven o'clock in the 
forenoon for the purpose of choosing the following officers 
to serve in said town the following year, or till others are 
chosen in their stead. 

ily. To choose a Moderator for the more orderly carry- 
ing. 

2ly. To choose a Town Clerk. 

3ly. To choose three or more suitable persons to serve 
as Selectmen. 

4ly. To choose three or more persons for Assessors, 
and further to choose any other officers as the law requires 
to serve in said town. 

5ly. To vote in what manner the meetings of the said 
town shall be warned in the future, and make return of the 
warrant and of your doings herein unto myself at or before 
the said twenty-si.xth day of August. 

Given under my hand and seal at Bridgton, this eighth 
day of August, Aimo Domini, 1805. 

Enoch Perley, Justice of the Peace. 



Harrison, August, 26th, 1805. 
Pursuant to the within or above warrant, I have notified 
and warned the inhabitants of said town, qualified as there- 
in expressed, to assemble at my dwelling house at the time 
and for the purposes within mentioned. 

NAPHTH.A.LI Harmon. 



40 a history of the 

First Town Meeting in Harrison. 

At a meeting of the Town of Harrison held at Naphthali 
Harmon's house on the 26th day of August, 1805, Chose 
the following officers : 

ily. Chose Joel Simmons, Moderator in said Meeting. 

2ly. Chose Samuel Willard, Town Clerk. 

3ly. Chose Samuel Willard, Benjamin Foster, Stephen 
Stiles, Selectmen and Assessors. 

4ly. Chose Nathaniel Burnham, Treasurer. 

5ly. Chose Samuel Scribner, Constable. 

61y. Chose Edward Lowell, Simeon Caswell, Ebenezer 
Carsley, Nathan Carsley, Rice Rowell, Surveyors of High- 
ways. 

7ly. Chose John Woodsumm, Surveyor of all kinds of 
lumber. 

Sly. Chose Levi Perry, Daniel Stone, Peter Gilson, 
Fence Viewers. 

gly. Chose James Sampson, Edward Lowell, Benjamin 
Foster, Tything Men. 

loly. Chose Joel Simmons, Jeremiah Palmer, Moses 
Chick, Hog Reeves. 

Illy. Chose Naphthali Harmon as Pound Keeper. 

I2ly. Chose Cushing Dawes, Stephen Ingalls, Edward 
Lowell, Field Drivers. 

I3ly. Chose the Selectmen as School Committee. 

I4ly. Voted that the meetings of the Town of Harrison 
shall be warned in the following manner, viz. : That the 
Constable shall post up the warrant, or the Selectmen, ac- 
cording as the law directs. 

I5ly. Voted that the meetings in the future shall be 
warned and held at Naphthali Harmon's house till a more 
convenient place may be appointed. 

Attest: Samuel Willard, Toivn Clerk. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 4I 

Meeting held September 30th, 1805. 

Simeon Caswell, Moderator. 
Money raised : 

Highways . . . $200.00 

Schools . . . 50.00 

Defray Town Charges . . 60.00 

Chose Nathaniel Burnham, Benjamin Foster, Samuel 
Willard, Committee to settle with Otisfield and Bridgton. 

Collecting of taxes set up and bid off by John Woodsum 
at seven cents on a dollar. 

Voted that every School District shall build their own 
Schoolhouse. 



List of Polls in 1805. 

Nathaniel Burnham, Samuel Baker, Ebenezer Bisbee, 
Abraham Burnham, Nicholas Bray, Nicholas Bray, Jr., 
Solomon Bray, Joseph Burns, Simeon Caswell, Benjamin 
Chadbourne, Ebenezer Carsley, Nathan Carsley, Moses 
Chaplin, Moses Chick, Elisha Chick, Joseph Dawes, Cash- 
ing Dawes, Jacob Emerson, Jonathan Fairbanks, Jeremiah 
Palmer, Benjamin Foster, Levi Gillson, Peter Gillson, Wm. 
Gammon, John Gammon, Josiah Goodridge, Jonathan Haz- 
elton, Naphthali Harmon, Naphthali Harmon, Jr., Joshua 
Howard, Abraham Hobbs, Stevens Ingalls, Daniel Jumper, 
Joel Kimball, John Lowell, Edward Lowell, Simon Lowell, 
Jonathan Lakin, John Neal, John Neal, Jr., James Neal, 
Samuel Pitts, Samuel Perley, Levi Perry, John Russell, 
Elijah Richardson, Rice Rowell, Jonathan Ross, Noah 
Stiles, — forty-nine. 



42 a history of the 

State Election, April 6, 1806. 

For Governor. 
His Excellency Caleb Strong, seven votes. 
Hon. James Sullivan, thirty-five votes. 

For Lieut. Governor. 
Levi Lincoln, Esq., thirty-one votes. 
Edward C. Robbins, seven votes. 

For Senators. 
Levi Hubbard, thirty-six votes. 
Luther Cary, four votes. 
Lathrop Lewis, one vote. 

For Councillors. 
Lathrop Lewis, five votes. 
Luther Cary, one vote. 

March 23, 1807. It was voted to build a house for the 
use of the town. $100 was raised for the purpose. Com- 
mittee raised to have charge of the building, Capt. H. Har- 
mon, Samuel Scribner, John Woodsum. The house set 
somewhere between Capt. Harmon's house and the comer, 
on the same side of the road, near the house now owned 
by Mrs. S. K. Wight. The first meeting held in the town 
house was on April 4, 1808. 

The second town house was built in 1825. The building 
was bid off by Major Jacob Emerson, for the sum of $257. 
The present town house was built in 1871. 

March 2, 1812. Voted that the Selectmen shall build 
a pulpit in the town house, such as they shall think proper 
to be put in at the expense of the town. 

Voted to lay out the money for preaching that is now in 
the bank for that purpose. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 43 

Voted to raise a Committee consisting of five to lay out 
the money for preaching. Committee chosen, James H. 
Chadboume, Samuel Scribner, Jacob Emerson, Moses Pitts, 
Naphthali Harmon, Jr. 

May II, 1812. Voted to build a chimney in the town 
house by all or a part, of the inhabitants of the town, that 
the same may be improved for the purpose of keeping a 
school in. 

Voted that Elder Ebenezer Bray preach out one half of 
the money, and Elder Valentine Little the other half, and 
if neither of these gentlemen can be obtained, the committee 
shall hire some others. (Mr. Little at that time was Prin- 
cipal of Bridgton Academy.) 

At a meeting held September 20, 1819, it was voted to 
send a delegate to the Convention to be held in Portland in 
October, for the purpose of framing a State Constitution 
for the new State of Maine, which was to be separated from 
Massachusetts early in 1820. Voted, and chose Col. Amos 
Thomes as the said delegate. 

December 6, 1819. Meeting held for the purpose of 
voting on the new State Constitution, and voted as follows : 

For the Constitution, ... 19 

Against, ..... o 

July 26. A meeting was held to vote on the separation 
of the District of Maine from Massachusetts. The vote 
stood : 

For Separation, ... 40 votes. 

Against, .... 2 votes. 

The pound was built in 181 1. Committee to build pound, 
Capt. N. Harmon, and Joel Simmons. 



44 A HISTORY OF THE 



No. of polls in 1805, 


49 


" 1810, 


81 


" 1820, 




" 1830, 


224 


" 1840, 


279 



Our fathers and mothers were strongly attached to the 
practice of observing the religious formalities of the church 
of God, and at an early day commenced to provide for the 
erection of a meeting-house for the use of each order of 
worshippers. 

The Congregational church of Harrison was organized 
February 15, 1826. Original members: — James H. Chad- 
bourne, Deacon ; Dorcas Chadboume, Sukey Peirce, Rox- 
ana Stanley, Hannah Whitmore, Joanna Whitmore, Aaron 
Kneeland, Hannah Kneeland, Charles Walker, Sally Cas- 
well. 

In 1823 the church numbered fifty-seven members, James 
P. Richardson being the Pastor. The present church edi- 
fice of this society was erected in 1836, and has been con- 
stantly occupied since that date. 

Other churches were organized in dififerent parts of the 
town in the early days of its history, some of which are 
still in existence. I would gladly give further facts in their 
history, but time forbids, and the amount of material at 
hand is rather meager. 



The Masonic Order. 
Next to their regard for the ministrations of the church 
many of our citizens have from earlier times manifested 
their love for those associations devoted to the cultivation 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 45 

of fraternity, charity, and kindred moral principles, as well 
as to specific reform. Some of our older residents had 
for many years been members of the Masonic Order, but 
no lodge of Masons ever existed in this town vmtil Crooked 
River Lodge, No. 152, of F. & A. M., was instituted at 
Bolster's Mills under a Dispensation from the Grand Lodge, 
dated April 15, 1869, with the following charter members : 

William Chute, Charles E. Stuart, 

Samuel C. Stuart, Newell A. Trafton, 

William Twombly, Charles T. Thomes, 

Orin Bartlett, Samuel Thomes, 

Alpheus B. Lovewell, Leonard B. Green, 

Moses E. Hall, Lewis G. Brackett, 

Fernald J. Sawyer, Albert H. Stuart, 

Benjamin S. Skillings, Leander Dorman, 

Gilman Nutting, J. A. Scribner, 

David F. Perley, James L. Green, 

Nathaniel S. Wight, John F. Woodsum, 

John Houston, John B. Fogg, 

Jonathan Ingalls, S. D. Andrews, 

George B. Dorman, Johnson W. Knight, 

Matthew F. Winslow, Otis Fernald. 

The following officers were appointed to serve under the 
Dispensation : 

W. M. — William Chute. 
S. W. — Fernald J. Sawyer. 
J. W. — William Twombly. 
Treas. — George B. Dorman. 
Sec'y — Alpheus B. Lovewell. 
S. D. — Moses E. Hall. 
J. D. — Benjamin S. Skillings. 
S. S. • — Gilman Nutting. 
J. S. — Leander Dorman. 
Tyler — Jonathan Ingalls. 



46 A HISTORY OF THE 

The Lodge was duly constituted and the charter granted 
on June 24, 1870. The following persons have served as 
Masters since that date : 

Moses E. Hall, John C. Maxfield, 

Fernald J. Sawyer, David E. Caswell, 

William Twombly, S. A. Turner, 

Isaac S. Skillings, Reuben H. Cobb, 

Oscar y. Edwards, George A. Haskell, 

Stephen C. Maxfield, Edward A. Wight, 

A. M. Hancock, William H. Noyes, 
Sumner J. Skillings. 

The following are the Secretaries in order: 

Alpheus B. Lovewell, Adna D. Pike, 

Charles E. Stuart, Oscar V. Edwards, 

Edwin A. Barton, Leander Dorman, 

Harry I. Lowell. 

Crooked River Lodge has a history of unvarying success 
and prosperity during its thirty-six years of existence. In 
1904 the Lodge did an extensive job on its hall building, 
greatly enlarging and improving it. This building is owned 
by the Lodge, and there is a goodly sum of money in its 
treasury. The present membership is one hundred and 
three, including many of the leading citizens of Harrison 
and Otisfield. 

(The editors add to the above account the names of the 
officers for 1908, as an appropriate close to the account.) 



town of harrison. 47 

Officers of Crookf.d River Lodge, 1908. 

W. M. — Russell C. Edwards. 
S. W. — George D. Skillings. 
J. W. — Harry I. Lowell. 
Treas. — Frank M. Barrows. 
Sec. — Charles E. Akers. 
S. D. — Edward A. Wight. 
J. D. — Henry E. Jillson. 
Chap. — George A. Haskell. 
Mar. — Walker B. Mills. 
S. S. — Jason B. Scribner. 
J. S. — Irving A. Lamb. 
Tyler — Elisha Turner. 



Temperance Organizations. 

From an early period in the history of the town a deep in- 
terest in the cause of Temperance has existed among our 
citizens, who realized the evil results of tippling in bar- 
rooms, and saw the destructive effects of the rum traffic 
upon the domestic relations of some of our families. 

The first general movement for creating a better state 
of social conditions, and in reforming public opinion con- 
cerning the moral benefits of abstinence from intoxicating 
beverages, was the organization of the primitive "temper- 
ance society," which consisted of a board of officers, a con- 
stitution, a pledge, and an occasional meeting for addresses 
and discussions of the desired betterment of society. Much 
good followed this effort of the friends of temperance. 

In, or about, 1840 arose the great Washingtonian move- 
ment, which originated in the city of Baltimore, and rapid- 



48 A HISTORY OF THE 

ly spread over nearly the entire country, particularly the 
northern and eastern sections. Many thousands of the 
worst victims of intemperance in the large cities, and the 
country generally, were reclaimed, and became again sober 
and respectable members of society. 

Following the Washingtonian movement, came the Sons 
of Temperance, a secret organization, with a ritual and ini- 
tiatory ceremony of much impressiveness and beauty of 
language. The first Division of Sons of Temperance es- 
tablished in this vicinity was Pondicherry Division at Bridg- 
ton Centre. It was joined and ardently supported by al- 
most every citizen of that place and North Bridgton, and 
surrounding districts. 

On February 5th, 1850, Crooked River Division, No. 100, 
was organized at Bolster's Mills. Some of the charter mem- 
bers were Thomas Dorman, Otis Fernald, William 
Twombly, Dr. Horace A. Barrows, Stephen Waterhouse, 
William C. Hobbs, Granville Fernald, and a goodly number 
of other leading citizens. 

A delegation of the members of Pondicherry Division 
was in attendance, among whom were Dr. Nathaniel Pease, 
Horace Billings, Reuben Ball, Reuben B. Ball, Richard K. 
Hunt, Nathaniel Bennett, Alexander Appleby, and others, 
who performed the initiatory ceremony, and installed the 
officers. The Division prospered a number of years, and 
had a saving influence on many wayward lives, but, in con- 
sequence of the death of some of its most prominent mem- 
bers, and the removal from town of others, the noble in- 
stitution gradually came to an end, and ceased to exist in 
1856. 



TOWN OF HARRISON 49 

About this time the Temperance Watchmen Club arose 
as a rival organization, and for a few years was very pop- 
ular, and successful in winning inebriates to its welcoming 
fold. One cause of its great success was the participation 
of women in its reformatory work. But that, too, became 
a thing of the past. 

The next grand Order of Temperance reformers was the 
Good Templars, perhaps the largest and most successful 
of all the modern secret temperance organizations, for it 
has extended its benefits to most of the English speaking 
countries of the world. This Order has had lodges or- 
ganized in Harrison Village, which have produced a good 
work, and helped to keep alive a strong public spirit favor- 
able to total abstinence. 

In the year 1875 the Reform Club movement invaded 
our town, and a Club was organized at Harrison Village 
through the assistance of brother reformers from Norway. 
This Club became at once very popular, attracting many 
young men who greatly needed the sympathy and encourage- 
ment afforded them by the kindly assistance peculiar to 
the methods of promoting the work of the reform brother- 
hood. At the time when it was strongest (1876) the Club 
erected the Reform Club Hall, and continued to meet in it 
for six or seven years, and then gradually went out of ex- 
istence. It has been reorganized once or twice since, but 
no meetings have been held for several years. 

Among those who have left an imperishable record for 
their unswerving devotedness to total abstinence reform, 
and to the enforcement of laws for the suppression of liquor 
selling and tippling, may be mentioned Harrison Blake, 
George Peirce, Philander Tolman, John Dawes, Samuel 



5° A HISTORY OF THE 

Gray, Franklin Walker, Christopher C. W. Sampson, Rev. 
L. W. Raymond, and the list might be much extended to 
include many other citizens worthy to stand with those we 
have mentioned. 

Moral reform in society has many vicissitudes. Harrison 
has many times suffered relapse from a high standard of 
reform conditions, but the resolute action and the determined 
resistance of the mass of the people to the invasion of our 
homes and our communities by the demon of intemperance 
is yet a dominant factor, and on that great agency of safety 
and conservation of virtue rests the constant hope for a 
bright and happy future. 

The temperance record of Harrison, as a whole, is one 
that its citizens may well be proud of, and the teachings and 
examples of our noble men and women are bearing fruit 
even to the present time. Though there is at present no 
active temperance organization in the limits of the town, 
the temperance and sobriety of its inhabitants will compare 
favorably with that of any country town. 



Harrison In and Out. 

Beautiful for situation is Harrison. It is beautiful in 
its inlook and its outlook. From scores of points of ob- 
servance our sensibilities to the charms of nature are thrilled 
with delight, and looking beyond the near landscape, we 
behold in all directions, to the horizon, ravishing views of 
mountain, forest, lake and glebe. But Harrison in its 
physical aspect is not the most interesting point of view. 
What makes this town of supreme interest to the non-resi- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 5 1 , 

dent sojourner, or visitor, is the quality of its manhood and 
womanhood, the native gentleness and urbanity, and hospi- 
tality displayed toward the stranger within her gates. These 
traits of the character of our people are what conduces to 
the high estimation in which Harrison is held wherever 
she is known. 

Looking backward, we remember the notable groups of 
families, settled in localities which were distinguished as 
neighborhoods ; the Stuart Neighborhood, the Burnham 
Neighborhood, the Brackett Neighborhood, the Scribner 
Hill, the Lewis Neighborhood, the Foster Neighborhood, 
and the Carsley Neighborhood. It was the people who 
lived in these localities that constituted, and do constitute 
our idea of Harrison. So I must be excused for talking 
a few minutes about the folks we have known and heard 
of, who made Harrison what it is. 



The People of Harrison. 

The history of a nation, a State, or a town is the history 
of its people. I have given already the interesting story 
of the ancestors of two families, who helped lay the founda- 
tion of the municipal structure from which Harrison was 
later evolved as a separate corporation. 

From the "History of the Settlement and the Early Set- 
tlers of Harrison," by Rev. G. T. Ridlon, published in 1877, 
I learn that there were from 1792 to 1820, sixty-four fam- 
ilies, who had resided between Crooked River and Long 
Pond, in the territory which became Harrison in 1805. It 
gives me pleasure to mention the names, and give brief 



5- A HISTORY OF THE 

histories of as many of the pioneer families as I am able, 
from the data in my possession. 

The first settlers of Harrison proper were John, Jr., and 
Nathan Carsley. They were the second and third sons of 
John and Mercy (Freeman) Carsley, of Barnstable, Mass., 
who migrated to Gorham, District of Maine, in their early 
married life, — about 1765, — where their children were 
all born and raised. Mary, the eldest, married James Wat- 
son, of Gorham, and they came to the plantation with the 
Carsley brothers, and spent their remaining years in this 
town. Mercy Watson, their eldest daughter, married David 
Potter Kneeland. They were the parents of a large family 
of sons and daughters, for many years resident of the town, 
whose descendants are yet here. Isaac Watson, son of 
James, resided for many years in Harrison Village. 

Although John and Nathan Carsley came at the same 
time in the autumn of 1792, built a camp, and commenced 
clearing land, it is a fact that John Carsley had the honor 
of being considered the "first" settler, and his gravestone 
in the old Free Will Baptist cemetery, bears the inscription, 
"The First Settler of Harrison." John Carsley, Jr., married 
Martha Crockett, of Gorham. They settled on the Ridge, 
a little ways south of the old Free Will Baptist meeting- 
house, on the Edes's Falls road, on the opposite side of the 
road from the residence of Mr. George H. Cummings. Mr. 
Carsley died in 1823. He had children, but none of his 
descendants are living in Harrison. 

The annals of Harrison contain no personal history of 
more local interest than that of Nathan Carsley. He was a 
true pioneer. Although his advent to the plantation of 
Otisfield was fifteen years after the first settlement at 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 53 

Peirce's Falls, and five years after the organization of the 
plantation, he became at once identified with the interests 
of the settlement, as appears by the public records. He 
settled on a lot adjoining the farm of his brother, near the 
homestead owned by Mr. George Cummings, and by two 
generations of his ancestors. 

Nathan married Susie Cotton of Gorham, and it is said 
that she was the "first white woman in town." After build- 
ing the camp, and doing some clearing in the fall of 1792, 
Nathan Carsley returned to Gorham, and remained until 
the next March, when he came for permanent settlement, 
bringing his young wife over the deep snow on a handsled. 
Here in the pioneer's camp was born William Carsley, the 
first white child born in this section of the township. Mr. 
Carsley was a stalwart, hearty man, inured to hardships, 
and deprivations of a life in the wilderness. He hunted 
and killed the bears and coons that destroyed his growing 
crops. Once when setting a bear trap he accidentally stepped 
into it, and was caught by the powerful jaws, the long sharp 
teeth penetrating so deeply that the muscles of his leg were 
badly lacerated, and he was fated to be ever afterward a 
cripple. He used to carry a large bag of corn or rye — a 
bushel or more • — on his shoulder, (crossing Crooked River 
on a log), to Ray's mills at Saturday Pond in Otisfield — 
about four miles. He bore a high character for prudence 
and uprightness, and served his town and country in po- 
sitions of honor and responsibility. He died April 27, 1855, 
his wife having predeceased him, September 20, 1853. 

Seth Carsley, also son of John, younger brother of 
Nathan, born in Gorham in 1782, married Susanna Whitney 
of Gorham, settled here about 1805, built his first house 



54 A HISTORY OF THE 

on the Bridgton side of the road, but afterward bought 
land across the road in Otisfield, and built the house in which 
he ever after resided, and in which his children were born. 
He was an early convert to the belief of the Free Will Bap- 
tists, and was one of the original members of the Free Will 
Baptist church, of which he was a deacon and a pillar of 
strength all the years of his long life. He was distinguished 
for his strict integrity and sincere piety. He died March 27, 
1874, in his ninety-second year. 

Seth Carsley, 2nd, and second son of Nathan, was dis- 
tinguished for his mechanical and inventive genius, and con- 
ducted business for years in Harrison Village. He removed 
to Pennsylvania many years ago. Betsey, daughter of Na- 
than, married Morrill Hobbs, Jr., son of Morrill, a pioneer 
who came from Waterboro in York county. Bethiah, 
second daughter of Nathan, married John Dawes, son of 
Gushing Dawes, a native of Duxbury, Mass. The father 
of Gushing Dawes was Joseph Dawes, who went from 
Duxbury to Minot, District of Maine, about 1790, stayed 
there a few years, and came to Harrison in 1802. He was 
the first owner of the farm made famous as one of the 
finest fruit farms in Maine, and one of the most beautiful 
homesteads, by the present owner, S. H. Dawes, Esq., great 
grandson of Joseph Dawes ; and on which six generations 
of the family have lived. 

Following the advent of the Carsley brothers, came 
Simeon Gaswell, a revolutionary soldier, in 1797, who had 
migrated from Taunton to Minot a few years before, remov- 
ing hence to Harrison. He settled on a farm, since then 
to this time owned and occupied by at least four generations 
of his descendants. He married Rachel Staples of Taunton. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 55 

They were the parents of a family of hardy, energetic, in- 
dustrious sons and daughters. This family in its time has 
been distinguished for much mechanical ingenuity and skill 
in the construction of useful machinery, in which Lebeus 
of the second generation, John W., his son, a member of 
the former wire making firm of P. Tolman & Co., and 
Newell N., oldest son of Marquis D. Caswell, in the line 
of inventions were very prominent examples. Besides these, 
are the late Francis B. Caswell of Auburn, Me., and John 
H. Caswell of Bridgton, who have been for many years 
known as skilled jewelers, and dealers in fine jewelry and 
watches. Mr. Millard F. Caswell, Master Mechanic of 
the B. & S. R. R., and Hollis H. Caswell of Harrison Vil- 
lage, are also conspicuous for mechanical ability. 

Mr. Caswell, the pioneer, was doubtless a good way from 
being a devotee of any form of religion ; but he was also, 
doubtless, a thinker, and had pondered some of the im- 
portant problems pertaining to the soul of man and its 
ultimate destiny. It is related that once, in the last days 
of his life, a pious neighbor called on him, professing to 
feel some concern about his spiritual-mindedness. The old 
gentleman received his neighbor very kindly, sitting in his 
arm chair. After some preliminary conversation, the 
neighbor asked the feeble octogenarian the question: "Have 
you made your peace with God ?" The eyes of the old man 
brightened as he turned towards his inquisitor. "Peace ! 
— Made peace with God," repeated the old man ; "Why, 
I haint never been at war with him !" That reply was suf- 
ficient, and the incident was closed. 

About 1798, Naphthali Harmon of Sanford, York Co., 
moved to Otisfield, (now Harrison) and settled on the farm 



56 A HISTORY OF THE 

occupied by himself and sons for more than fifty years, and 
now owned by Mrs. S. K. Wight. Mr. Harmon was an 
active pioneer and promoter of the interests of the new 
town of Otisfield, just then incorporated. He served as 
Lieutenant and Captain, in the militia, under commissions 
from Gov. Strong of Massachusetts, dated 1803 and 1805, 
respectively. He was also the recipient of various offices 
in his town. He married Mehitable Harmon of Wells. 
His first two children, Leander and William P., were born 
in Sanford. Harrison G. O., Walter P., Nancy, Sarah P., 
and Deborah C., were born in Harrison. William P.. who 
is entitled to the full honors of the pioneer settler, was a 
man of strict integrity, and was highly esteemed as a citi- 
zen. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church, 
was church clerk for many years, and held the office of 
deacon from 1829 till his death in 1873. 

Walter P. Harmon, fourth son of Naphthali, married 
Hannah, daughter of Solomon Bray, oldest son of Nicholas 
Bray, an early pioneer. Of the three children of Walter, 
Levi F., the eldest, is the only survivor, and resides at 
Harrison Village. Of the daughters of Naphthali, Nancy, 
born in Sanford, married William Hayford, of Hartford; 
Sarah P., second daughter, married Samuel Scribner, of 
Waterborough ; and Deborah C, third daughter, married 
Levi Burnham, of Harrison. 

The Burnhams, who came to Otisfield about 1799, were 
Abraham and Nathaniel, and came from Bolton, Mass. 
They settled on the hill for many years known as "Burnham 
Hill," and, latterly, as "Summit Hill." Nathaniel was the 
father of seven sons and two daughters. The sons became 
citizens of considerable note in the business, political and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 57 

religious life of this town, until their removal to other places. 
At this time there is not one member of the several large 
families of Burnhams remaining in this locality. 

Nicholas Bray, ancestor of the Brays in Harrison, came 
from Minot to Otisfield about 1800. He was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary Army for seven years, and settled on a 
fine lot of land on the ridge, near the center of the town, 
in the near neighborhood of the Carsleys. He was the 
father of eight children, of whom Edward, second son, was 
the longest and best known of his family residing in the 
town. Fidelia, second daughter, married Philip Caswell, 
son of Simeon, the pioneer. They were the parents of a 
large family who settled in this town, and several of their 
descendants still reside here. 

Deacon Edward Bray, senior, was a man of sterling 
character, of decided religious convictions, and of fervent 
piety. He was chosen as one of the first deacons of the 
Free Will Baptist church, and associated for many years 
with Deacons Seth Carsley and Charles Walker, Jr. He 
married Susanna Hobbs. His death occurred September 
21, 1865. Mrs. Bray died March 28, 1866. 

The pioneer settler of Harrison Village was James Samp- 
son, of Duxbury, Mass., who first moved to Leeds, Maine, 
afterwards coming to Harrison about 1800. He married 
Jemima Stetson, of Turner, in 1786. He erected a log 
house near the site of the Harding house, and afterward 
erected a good frame house, believed to be the same house 
now noted as a summer hotel under the name of "Crystal 
Lake Cottage." Mr. Sampson built mills on the outlet of 
Anonymous Pond, and carried on the blacksmith trade at 
the same time. He was a genuine pioneer, and did much 



58 A lUSlXIRY OK THE 

tr> encourage settlement in this town. Nine children were 
born to the house of Sampson, — James, Reuben, Deborah, 
Hannah, Jemima, Olive. Alice, Asenath, and Ahira. 

Mr. Sampson, senior, in 182 1 exchanged his mills, his 
homestead, and other lands, with Esquire GrinfiU Blake 
of Otisfield, and removed ivom TTarrison, accomj>anied by 
his son Reuben and his family. Mr. SampsoT\, the pioneer, 
and his wife both died in Otisfield. 

Ahira was the only member of James Sampson's family 
who remained permanently in Harrison. He married Polly 
Stiles of Bridgton, and settled ii\ Harrison \'illage, ax the 
corner where now stands the store occupied by Mr. Bailey. 

Of the children of Ahira. one onh' son, Capt. Christopher 
C W. Sampson, was all his Hfe a resideiit of Harrison. He 
was for manjf j'ears engaged in nax^igating the Sebago sys- 
tem of lakes by canal boat, and as Captain of the Steamer 
"Fawn." Capt. Sampson wtis distingxnshcd for his gener- 
osity of lieart, and .s>iin{>athy for the unfortunate. He mar- 
ried Mary Ai\n Brown, of Waterford. They had ten chil- 
dren, of whom but three are now living. 

Early in the century came Wentworth, Joseph, Josiah. 
and Solomon Stuart, from Gorham. and settled near each 
«3ther in the ttortheastem part of the town, ev^er since known 
as the "Stuart Neighborhood," It is excellent grazing and 
orchard land, di\^rsified between upland, plain, and possible 
intervale. 

Wentworth Stuart removed to Bolster's Mills, and there 
resided until his death many j^ears after. The Stuarts 
all had large families. They w^re acti\^ in business pur- 
suits, and were interested in religious, educational, and 
moral reform movements of their generation. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 59 

Joseph Stuart was a mechanic of note in his time ; had, 
I think, the gift of invention, and was always, when not 
out on his farm, busily engaged at his carpenter's bench in 
the shop. 

Deacon Simeon Lovell, of Bolster's Mills — known as 
"Pinhook" for many years — was another ingenious ar- 
tisan, and had worked at gun making for many years in his 
early life. Some of his fowling pieces are probably extant 
to this day. 

Mr. Peter Nutting, of Otisfield, was a joker and a 
romancer, and often told funny stories pertaining to the 
propensities of his acquaintances. 

"I dreamed that I was up to Joe Stuart's," said Uncle 
Peter ; "and I found Joe in his little shop so busy that he 
couldn't stop to say 'how de do.' So 1 says, 'J'JC, what in 
the world are you a workin' on?' 

'O,' says Joe : 'I'm a borin' out a lot o' Mosquitoes' bills.' 

'Ah ! do tell me,' says I. 'Well, where did you get your 
auger ?' 

'O, Deacon Lovell made it,' says Joe, and never stopped 
borin'." 

The name of Thomes has been from an early time an 
honorable one in this tf>wn. There were two families. The 
first to settle here was James, who moved here from Gorham 
about 1800, and located near the old Free Will Piaptist 
meeting-house, where his grandson, and namesake, still re- 
sides. He married Abigail Libby, of Gorham. Charles, 
the older son, was horn in Gorham. Sarah, only daughter, 
and Allison L., second son, were born in Harrison, Allison 
is a resident of this town, and is a prosperous farmer. 

Amos Thomes, born in Gorham in 1789, came early to 
this town, and settled on a farm in South Harrison. He 



6o A HISTORY OF THE 

served the town much in public affairs, as Selectman, Town 
Clerk, and as Representative to the Legislature. He was 
also a delegate, in 1819, from Harrison to the convention 
in Portland that formed the State Constitution. He married 
Abigail F. Higgins, of Gorham. He died March 21, 1870, 
aged eighty-one years. Mrs. Thomes died in 1885. 

Ezra, his oldest son, died in 1833, at the age of twenty- 
three. Marshall, the second son, was born in 1813, and 
married Rachel B. Haskell for first wife. She died in 
1840, and, for second wife, he married Dorcas Paine, of 
Standish. She was a woman of fine intelligence, and pos- 
sessed noble traits of character. Mr. Thomes resided for 
many years on the home farm in South Harrison, which 
he carried on in company with his brother Samuel. About 
1874 he sold his interest in the farm to his brother, and re- 
moved to Harrison Village, where he resided during the 
remainder of his life. His wife died in 1882, and Mr. 
Thomes followed her in 1897. 

Alanson M., the third son, born in 1821, emigrated to 
the West when quite young, and resided there for many 
years. Later he returned, and settled in Bridgton, on the 
farm owned by his brother Samuel at the time of his death. 
A few years ago he sold out his property there, and removed 
to Harrison, where he now resides. Samuel, the youngest 
son, married Rosilla Cook, of Casco, and lived on the 
paternal homestead in Harrison nearly all his life. He 
resided in Bridgton during the last few years of his life, 
dying in 1883. He was a public-spirited man, and took 
a leading part in the affairs of the town, serving as Se- 
lectman, and as Representative to the Legislature. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 6l 

Major Jacob Emerson lived in South Harrison before the 
incorporation of the town. He was quite an extensive land 
owner. His wife was Mary, daughter of George Thomes, 
of Gorham, and a sister of Col. Amos Thomes. Major 
Emerson was truly a "Father of the Town." He held 
several commissions in the old militia, was Collector of 
Taxes in 1806, and became a member of Oriental Lodge of 
Masons at North Bridgton in the same year. He was a 
Justice of the Peace, and Selectman, for many years, and 
represented his district in the Legislature in 1823-5-7. "He 
lived respected, and died deservedly lamented," says his 
biographer. His death occurred August 7, 1865. 

The ancestor of the Gray families of Harrison was James 
Gray, of Beverly, Mass., who came to Bridgton early in 
life, removed to Harrison, and settled on the Pond road. 
His first wife was Mary Stickney, by whom he had nine 
children. His second wife was Polly Lewis. Samuel, and 
William Gray, sons of James, were long and intimately 
connected with the interests of the town. 

The immediate ancestor of the Hobbs Family of Harrison 
was Morrill Hobbs, who came from Waterborough early 
in life, and settled where his grandson Reuben lived many 
years, being the last male representative of that family in 
town. Mr. Hobbs, the pioneer, died October 20, 1826, 
aged seventy years. 

Thomas Cummings came from Topsfield about 1810, and 
settled on the site of the present town farm. Jonas, his 
eldest son, married Nancy Piper, of Otisfield, and settled 
on the farm now occupied by his son, George H. Cummings, 
on which three generations of the family have been born, 
and lived to mature years. 



62 A HISTORY OF THE 

Capt. John Brackett, father of Walter, William, Enoch, 
John, Chapman, and Eliza Brackett (who married John 
Lowell, of Harrison) was a Revolutionary soldier. His 
sons, and their families, were almost, or quite, a majority 
of the Brackett school district for many years. They were 
a group of highly respectable families, and were much 
identified with the educational, religious, and industrial life 
of the town. 



The Pioneer Women of Otisfield and Harrison. 

We know that the men who did the most to redeem this 
territory from its primitive wildness were brave, resolute, 
and sturdy of body and limb. So were generally their 
wives and daughters. There are several authentic accounts 
of the exploits of the pioneer mothers of Otisfield and 
Harrison that witness to their readiness to cope with any 
difficulties incident to the undeveloped condition of the 
country. Mrs. Relief Nutting Moors, wife of Major Jona- 
than Moors, a soldier of the Revolution, who settled on 
Otisfield Hill after 1780, made three several trips from 
Otisfield to Groton, Mass., on horseback, during her married 
life. On the first trip she carried her one year old son, 
who would have been the first white child born in town, 
had not Mrs. Moors been carried by an ox-team to Gray 
before the birth of her child, for lack of a woman nurse 
at home. 

Another instance showing the fortitude and determination 
of our fore-mothers, was that of Mrs. Eunice Whiting 
Ray, who made at least one journey on horseback through 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 63 

the wilderness from Otisfield to Wrentham, Mass., for the 
purpose of visiting relatives and friends at her native home. 
O! but the pioneer women, for all their resoluteness and 
courage, were often very homesick, and pined and longed 
for their kindred, and for the homes of their childhood. 



Men Prominent in Religious .\nd Educ.xtional 
Matters. 

It is a pleasure to remember the worthy men who have, 
in the past, stood in their allotted places as ministers of 
the truth, and representatives of the Church of God. I 
have no particular denomination in mind, but refer to the 
great Protestant aggregation of Christians with kindred 
beliefs ; of identical purposes ; the reclamation of the 
wicked and the sinner to holy living, and the upholding 
of the gospel standard set forth in the New Testament. 
Are not their names, and the memory of their lives precious 
to us who have survived them, and live to recount the 
graces, and virtues, and saving influences, for which their 
pastoral labors were conspicuous in moral effect? 

Some of them were men of considerable learning and 
culture in special lines. I remember one, who was not 
only an eloquent and impressive preacher of the Word, 
but was a man of fine education, and served the town for 
years as a Superintendent of the Public Schools. I refer 
to the Rev. Cyril Pearl, the graceful and fervid preacher, 
the intelligent lecturer, and advocate of high attainments 
in science and art, the man of progressive ideals in every- 
thing for the betterment of his fellow beings. 



64 A HISTORY OF THE 

There were others. Of those later champions of higher 
pubhc education, I can think of several whose zeal and 
conscientious devotion to the work appointed to them as 
Supervisors of our schools are historic in our annals. 
Among them were David Frost, Obadiah Cook, Esq., Dr. 
S. L. Weston, Dr. H. H. Cole, Wm. M. Brooks, Rev. A. W. 
Taylor, Rev. L. W. Raymond, Alphonso Moulton, and 
others equally deserving of mention. To these men, and 
to those friends of common education who sustained them 
in the furthering of their advanced ideals, we award a well 
deserved meed of praise. 



Mercantile : — A Great Country Store. 

The first man to "keep store" in town is said to have 
been Capt. Benjamin Foster. His store was located in 
South Harrison, near the residence of the owner. 

With the increase of population in the western section 
of the town arose the necessity for the establishment of 
grocery and variety stores, and for years after the first of 
the century several persons engaged in mercTiandising at 
"Harrison Flat," as this village was called for many years. 
Up to 1840, and for some years after, the largest store and 
greatest variety of goods were kept by the firm of G. & F. 
Blake, sons of Grinfill Blake, Esq. It was indeed a great 
emporium of business in "the forties," employing quite a 
number of clerks. 

It was the custom of the Blakes to purchase a large 
stock of standard groceries and flour in the autumn to 
carry them through the long winter, and by this foresight 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 65 

they were prepared to take the trade of the large number 
of well-to-do farmers from upper New Hampshire, and, 
I think, from beyond the Connecticut River, who brought 
their big load of hogs and dairy products, and other 
things from the farm, formerly carried to Portland. Thus 
it was for several winters preceding the extension of the 
Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R. to Bethel, and northward. 
Many persons present can remember how the village hotel 
used to be crowded by the up-country farmers, and what 
a thriving prospect was given to the village by its becoming 
a market for a prosperous portion of country on the upper 
Androscoggin and Connecticut Rivers. Thus, for several 
years the Blake store was rivaling, in the magnitude of 
its operations, many of the leading city stores. 

It was conspicuous for the large number of signs displayed 
upon the great front of the store. "Farmer's Head- 
quarters," in letters two feet or more in height, and lesser 
announcements, with the firm name several times inter- 
spersed in the pretentious medley of trade catchwords, made 
the Blake store front an example of the surpassing genius 
and enterprise of the men who were catering to the neces- 
sities and tastes of so large a community of patrons. There 
was no doubt that G. & F. Blake kept that store, and that 
it was the place where everything could be obtained at a 
low price. 

A gentleman residing in Bridgton, who was formerly well 
known to many of my elderly hearers, and who had worked 
on the new extension of the store about 1840, was traveling 
through the village on the stage one day. While the mail 
was being changed at the post-office he entered the store 
and walked around, gazing in affected amazement at the 



66 



A HISTORY OF THE 



immense variety and quantity of merchandise around him. 
Coming across a young clerk he asked : "Look here, young 
man ; please tell me who keeps this store ?" "Why, this 
is G. & F. Blake's store," replied the young man, "what can 
I do for you?" He was almost vexed with the man's ap- 
parent stupidity, with the firm name emblazoned so re- 
peatedly on the outside of the store. "Oh !" exclaimed 
the stranger, "I don't want to buy anything; I didn't see 
any sign, and I thought I'd just ask whose store it was." 
When the Blakes heard about the inquisitive visitor, and 
found out who he was, they were intensely amused that 
their store had been made a butt for one of Hiram Baston's 
jokes. 

Contemporary with the Blakes as local merchants were 
Johnson Warren, George F. Foster, L. C. Nelson, and 
possibly others. But the Blake store, after the retirement 
of Grenfill Blake, still retained its leadership under Francis 
Blake, Silas Blake, J. H. Illsley, Alarshall Jordan, M. Jor- 
dan & Son ; and now the sons of Marshall Jordan, under 
the firm name of Jordan Brothers, are keeping up the 
ancient mart of trade as near as the exigencies of the pres- 
ent time demand. 

Of those who have been leading merchants during the 
last forty years, Thomas R. Sampson, T. R. Sampson & 
Son, and after the death of Mr. Thomas Sampson, Howard 
L. Sampson, partner and successor of his father, have been 
very prominent. Their store was the same erected in the 
forties by Johnson Warren, opposite the old steamboat land- 
ing. Other general traders since i860 have been Josiah 
Monroe, Monroe & Walker, Evans A. Kneeland, Bailey 
& Wiggin, and F. H. Ricker. 



town' of harrison. 67 

Manufacturing and Mechanical Industries. 

Harrison has long been distinguished as the seat of im- 
portant manufacturing industries. From the operation of 
the saw mill for making common rough lumber for building 
purposes, and the grist mill for grinding the corn and grain 
of the farmers, built by James Sampson about 1800, the 
factories and shops for the manufacture of many kinds of 
wood and iron work have been numerous, and several of 
the most conspicuous are still in active operation. 

The most important industrial operation for about fifty 
years was the wire factory, started about 1834 by Blake 
& Washburn, afterwards carried on by Charles Farley, 
Farley & Tolman, and, for the longest and most successful 
period, by the firm of P. Tolman & Co., consisting of 
Philander Tolman, Franklin Walker, and John W. Caswell. 
Under the able and vigorous management of this firm a 
new and large extension was erected, and the business was 
much enlarged, requiring the employment of a large number 
of skilled workmen. The amount of business of the wire 
factory for nearly forty years, and the amount of money 
disbursed by its operations, were the means of considerable 
increase in the town's population and wealth. The wire 
factory ceased to exist in 1887. 

In 1891 the business of chair-making was established 
here, and occupied the vacated wire factory buildings. It 
has grown to be a flourishing industry, and, under its present 
proprietor, Mr. Charles S. Whitney, has acquired extended 
fame for the excellent quality of its products, which have a 
sale in the best metropolitan markets. 

Away back — so it seems — before the year 1850, after 
the retirement of Mr. David R. Morse and J. V. R. Kil- 



68 A HISTORY OF THE 

born from the old blacksmith shop at the corner leading 
to this beautiful lake, came from Oxford Mr. Timothy H. 
Ricker and his son, Sherburn H., and commenced the black- 
smithing business in the old Morse shop.* It was at a time 
when Harrison was experiencing a boom. The exigencies 
of trade and travel had caused the building and launching of 
the Steamer "Fawn" at North Bridgton, and the "old tav- 
ern," occupied for years by Mr. Lewis Smith, well known 
as "Deacon Smith," was, under the proprietorship of John 
Dawes, Esq., extended to twice its original size. But I am 
talking about the Rickers, who were, after Luther Carman, 
the pioneers of one of the most substantial industries ever 
established in this town. I refer to the celebrated foundry 
and machine works of T. H. Ricker & Sons, now owned and 
conducted by Messrs. C. F. & A. P. Ricker, former partners 
in, and now successors to, the firm that existed previous to 
the death of the senior partner, Mr. T. H. Ricker. 

The superior mechanical genius of the Caswell family 
of this town has been well illustrated and exploited in 
several lines of industry in this village. Besides the well 
known ability of Mr. John W. Caswell in promoting the 
success of the wire business, the career of Mr. Newell N. 
Caswell as an "all around" mechanic in many lines of con- 
struction of water power machinery, and his indomitable 
energy as owner and operator of various mills, are familiar 
to many present. He was a worker, and after his decease 
a few years ago, his son Mr. Hollis H. Caswell, who in- 
herits much of his father's genius for mechanics, continued 
the business left by him, and enlarged it into many new lines, 

*This statement is a mistake. Mr. Ricker did not work at black- 
smithing. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 69 

but the great amount of business done by him at his general 
store and his grain mill, has obliged him to entirely abandon 
the mechanical branches of his business, as far as mills 
and manufacturing establishments are concerned. 

(Since this address was delivered, Mr. Caswell has sold 
the old mill buildings, and they have been torn down and 
hauled away, thus removing one of the old landmarks from 
Harrison Village. They were sold to Mr. Lester M. Went- 
worth, and were used in the erection of a shop on the bank 
of Bear River, near the bridge on the North Bridgton road. 
In the place of this old mill Mr. Caswell has since erected 
an addition to his grain mill, made necessary by his in- 
creasing business and which adds much to the capacity 
and convenience of the mill.) 



What was Happening about 1805. 

It was a memorable period of the world's history in which 
Harrison was admitted to the sisterhood of Maine towns. 
It was in the midst of events that caused kings to tremble 
with fear, and empires to totter upon their foundations. 
It was a very perilous period in the early history of our 
nation, and when events were occurring that convulsed our 
country with sorrow and indignation, as well as with re- 
joicing and glorification. It was amidst a succession of 
political conspiracies for extending the power of rival 
European monarchies. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of 
France, and George III, King of England, were employing 
all the resources of their governments to defeat each other 
in warlike operations on land and sea. It was the day of 



70 A HISTORY OF THE 

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, friend of America in Coun- 
cils of state, and of Lord Nelson, the great admiral, who 
destroyed the formidable fleet of France in the famous 
battle of Trafalgar on October 2ist, 1805. 

It was the day of wonderful inventions of labor-saving 
machinery in woolen and cotton manufacturing, through 
the genius of Hargreaves, Arkwright, Crompton and Cart- 
wright in spinning and weaving, and of Watt in the dis- 
covery of steam power and its application to manufacturing 
machinery and to marine navigation. It was the day of 
remarkable improvement in the making of iron and steel, 
the building of canals, and the introduction of improved 
methods of agriculture. It was the day of the spread of 
common school education and the establishment of higher 
courses of culture for American youth, and of implanting 
and fostering in their minds those ideas of liberty and in- 
dependence of foreign influence which were the theme of 
the address of the Father of his country in bidding farewell 
to the scenes and responsibilities of his public life. In 
short, it was in the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, 
the most conspicuous of all the centuries in the advance- 
ment of mankind in religion, in science, in invention, in 
education, in commercial extension, and in all that pertains 
to the development of our race towards a better order in 
government, and in promoting the arts of peace. 

In 1805 the first administration of Thomas Jefferson 
came to a close, and his inauguration to a second term was 
celebrated. This event was consummated amid a succession 
of some of the greatest national events that have been ac- 
complished by the pre-eminent genius and resolute diplomacy 
of our Presidents and ministers of state. During the ad- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



ministration of Jefferson the great Northwestern territory 
was added to the national domain. That transaction is 
known in our history as the "Louisiana Purchase," and is 
the most notable triumph of peaceful arbitration and treaty- 
making between our own and a foreign government. 

In the month of May, 1804, was commenced the famous 
exploring expedition of Lewis and Clark from the Mis- 
sissippi River to the Pacific Ocean and return in two years 
and four months, during which perilous traversing of the 
mysterious wilds of the West the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts was giving kindly answer to a petition of a few 
humble citizens in the great Eastern district, and — Harrison 
was born into the happy community of Maine towns. 

At this very period our government was exercising its 
little navy in an effort to subdue and punish several of the 
Barbary States of Northern Africa for unprincipled and 
piratical practices of warfare, and for treacherous methods 
of statescraft in dealing with international problems. In 
1803 occurred the gallant exploit of Lieut. Decatur in en- 
tering the harbor of Tripoli and destroying the warship 
Philadelphia, which had been captured by a Tripolitan naval 
force, and lay in the harbor with her guns shotted and 
primed. We can appreciate the exultant feeling experi- 
enced by our countrymen at the success of our youthful 
navy, and of their pride in the valor of that brilliant officer 
and his gallant compatriots. 

That was one of the most trying periods of our history, 
when our government was engaged in taking account of its 
military and naval resources, and getting settled in its 
proper place as a rising nation among the great nations, and 
in the management of its foreign relations. Napoleon Bona- 



72 A HISTORY OF THE 

parte, who, as Emperor of France, authorized the sale of 
the Louisiana territory to our government, is reported in 
history to have declared : "The day may come when the 
cession of Louisiana to the United States shall render the 
Americans too powerful for the Continent of Europe." 

If you question the relevancy of my brief allusion to the 
important national events mentioned, I can only say : I feel 
that we may well be proud of the fact that in the midst of 
some of the most remarkable crises of our early national 
history, Harrison was ushered into corporate existence, 
and a peaceful procession of hardy emigrants was coming 
from the mother State and planting happy homesteads in 
the virgin lands of our territory, where democratic liberty 
might flourish untrammeled by the restraints of older po- 
litical systems. Thus we may conceive that our fathers, 
a hundred years ago, commenced to develop their ideas of 
organized political life where we are now assembled to 
commemorate their deeds and their characters as virtuous 
and patriotic citizens. 

Conclusion. 

Dear Friends ; — As we meet after so many years of 
separation it is natural to recur to the former times when we 
were in the spring and summer-time of our lives. Perhaps 
we dream of our "lost youth," and wish that we were young 
again. A contributor to the National Tribune, the Soldier's 
paper of Washington, thus describes the emotions so com- 
mon in our hearts : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 73 

"Oh! dewy morning of youth and hope, 

What should we do without memory of you? 
What should we do as we dimly grope 
Through this after time, 
Through this fading prime; 
What should we do without memory of you? 

Why look backward as though for the dawn? 

Wherefore these fears, these unbidden tears? 
Why seek we the light of a sun now gone? 
Alas ! we know 
'Tis your afterglow ; 
Your reflection shining across the years. 

But how we treasure those arrows of light! 

Let them shine on if their day-spring be gone ; 
Let them delude us, they postpone the night; 
How they deceive I 
We could almost believe 
We were present again at the glorious dawn. 

Should we grow old thus haunted by Youth? 

Must we regret? Must we forget? 
Is not illusion here better than truth? 
Can we not seem 
As young as we dream, 
And, instead of the shadow, keep the substance 
yet?" 

In similar strains of poesy have Longfellow, and a Flor- 
ence Percy, sung of their heart longing for their "lost 
youth." It is the responsive echo of a universal yearning 
for the sweetest and best years of our lives. 

I am thinking of the happy family circles of the past ; 
of the beautiful faces and forms of the loved and honored 
youth who faded from our sight, and fell in the prime of 



74 A HISTORY OF THE 

early life. We see their names on the white headstones 
with renewed pangs of sorrow. And the dear little buds 
of our groups — their loving voices and little caressing 
hands, those vanished hands ! 

"Dear little hands, I miss them so! 
All through the day wherever I go — 
All through the night, how lonely it seems, 
For no little hands wake me out of my dreams. 

^ ^ ^ :^ ^ 

And now my forehead is wrinkled with care, 
Thinking of little hands once resting there ; 
But I know, in a happier, more heavenly clime, 
Dear little hands, I will clasp you sometime." 

I ask your indulgence, friends, for this allusion to the 
distressful events so frequent and numerous in the history 
of every neighborhood of our town. As parents we never 
cease to realize the pain and pathos, which, in our ex- 
periences have made us wish we might have died to save 
the loved ones from the grave. 

"We wind our life about another life. 

We hold it closer, dearer than our own ; 
Anon it faints and falls in deadly strife. 

Leaving us stunned, and stricken, and alone ; 
But ah ! we do not die with those we mourn. 
This also can be borne. 

Behold, we live through all things ; famine, thirst. 
Bereavement, pain ; all grief and misery ; 

All woe and sorrow ; life inflicts its worst 
On soul and body ; but we cannot die. 
Though we be sick, and tired, and faint, and worn ; 
Lo ! all things can be borne." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 75 

In this coming to the place so recently my home ; where 
more than half of my mature life has been spent; the 
birthplace of my children ; where many of the strongest 
ties of friendship have been formed and still exist; I am 
strongly impressed with the many changes I observe on 
every hand. I see them in the personalities of my friends, 
I notice them in the bright verdure of the fields, in the 
beautiful arrangements of the gardens and lawns surround- 
ing the homesteads of the town, in the evidence on every 
hand of the culture and refinement pertaining to the econo- 
mies of domestic life. It speaks of prosperity, of emula- 
tion of the best examples of municipal and domestic im- 
provements. It points to an age of advancement in edu- 
cation, social and political progress toward the highest 
ideals in the future of this community. Such observation 
of the upward trend of public and private conditions of 
life compel me to declare a newer and stronger affinity 
and veneration for the things so intimately related to my 
past years of residence here. "No place like home," is 
the refrain chanted by every reverent lover of his birth- 
place, and of the spot where his memories of school, 
church, and early associations are most prone to center. 

We think, as we look backward, and live over again the 
short span of time since our birth, and consider the near 
approach of the end of us who have witnessed the events 
of three-quarters, or more, of the history of our town, that 
we have but little, if anything, to do, or to meditate upon, 
but to bid adieu to life and its activities ; yield up our 
fondness for the plotting and the striving for increase of 
store, and for enhancement of worldly goods ; and deny 
ourselves of the associations which inspire us with renewal 



A HISTORY OF THE 



of anticipation, and a resurgence of enthusiasm and in- 
tellectual ambition. 

But should we thus give up, dear friends, to the almost 
universal idea that we are ever too old or too infirm to be 
of little, or no, use in our respective spheres of life? 

Dr. O. W. Holmes, who died a few years ago at the age 
of eighty-five, wrote late in life these inspiring lines: 

" 'Tis yet high day, thy staff resume. 
And fight fresh battle for the truth ; 
For what is age but life's full bloom, 
A riper, more transcendent youth? 
A weight of gold 
Is never old ; 
Streams broader grow as downward rolled. 

At sixty-two life has begun ; 

At seventy-three begins once more ; 
Fly swifter as thou near'st the sun, 
And brighter shine at eighty-four. 
At ninety-five 
Should thou arrive, 
Still wait on God, and work and thrive." 

Yet the solemn truth remains that the future holds for 
each one either a guerdon of gladness and joy, or of sadness 
and sorrow. How we wish that we could see into the 
future of our lives, and know the secret of the fate that 
awaits us ! 

Mrs. Caroline F. Frye, the beloved and gifted wife of our 
Senator Frye, thus gave utterance to this yearning for 
knowledge of the future : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 77 

"In the days that are to be, 
O, dear Father, tell to me 
What shall come! Shall there be light 
As the sunshine clear and bright. 
Full of joy, unmixed with care, 
And, with heart as free as air, 
Shall I never burden feel? 
Oh ! to me my days reveal ! 

Hark ! I hear a voice so low 
Whisper, 'seek not thou to know 
All the future, blind to thee 
With its hidden mystery. 
Day by day shall be unsealed. 
And to thee shall be revealed 
Whether they be full of light. 
Or as dark as darkest night; 
In each one trust thou in me, — 
As thy days thy strength shall be'." 

We have given our thoughts today, and for many days, 
to memories and traditions of the century that has expired. 
We have contemplated the lives and fortunes, the virtues 
and examples of our fathers and mothers of this goodly 
town and its larger community. We now step upon the 
threshold of a new century ; a century bright with promise 
of peace and prosperity to all mankind. Perhaps not at 
once will the blessing of peace come to all, for as long as 
human slavery and oppression exists there will be war. But 
a long stride toward a reign of peace is being witnessed in 
these very days. 

To whom are the expectations of greater enlargement 
of our national power, and of opportunities for elevating 



78 A HISTORY OF THE 

the masses of mankind in the scale of civilization, of the 
greatest moment and value? Is it not to the youth, to the 
boys and girls of today, very soon to be the statesmen and 
governors of our country? For I do not forget, nor desire 
to ignore, the imminent probabilities of the speedy acces- 
sion of the American woman to her rightful sphere and 
position as a citizen, with the elective franchise in her hand, 
her right of self-government, and arbiter of her own civic 
destiny. And when I contemplate the surrender to the 
women of our country of a privilege wrongfully withheld 
for so many years, I congratulate every citizen on the bril- 
liant era at hand when the ranks of American citizen voters 
will be enlarged by the mustering in of so large a body of 
cultured, thoughtful, conscientious, and conservative Ameri- 
cans. Yes, to the boys and girls alike of this time I com- 
mend the thoughts of the poet, looking down through the 
vista of the future. 

"Ah, boys ! now you stand at the portal of life. 

And the path stretches onward, away. 
Through the dim, distant future, through sunshine and 
shade, 

And through night alternating with day ; 
The world lies before you, unconquered, untried — 

Unknown yet its pains and its joys. 
And life, full of promise, lies close at your hand — 

Oh ! what will you do with it, boys ? 

You may make what you will of that life, my dear boys — 

A failure, a mighty success, 
A name that the world will not know — will abhor — 

Or one that the nations will bless ; 
All depends, my young friends, on the way that you use 

The talents consigned to your care ; — 
Oh, fight 'neath the standard of honor and truth, 

Let your motto be 'Labor and prayer' ! 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 79 

Don't expect Madam Fortune to trot by your side, 

Smoothing all the rough places away ; 
Depend on yourself — -carve your own onward path, 

And fight your own battles each day; 
There is work for your brain, and your heart, and your 
hands. 

And there's need of a plenty of pluck ; 
But there's no 'fate' to conquer — ^ on that rest assured — 

And there's never a question of luck. 

Ah ! what will you do with your talents, my boys, 

When all of life's battles are done, 
And you look down the vista of long-vanished years 

To the hour when those battles begun? 
Oh ! what will you see ? and what record will stamp 

Those hours of struggle and strife? 
Oh, pause now, while all is before you, and think 

What, what will you do with your life?" 

The hours of this day are rapidly fleeting. This occasion, 
and the sentiments of patriotic affection inspired by it are 
being inscribed on the page of current history. Forward 
the eye of expectancy is fixed upon the coming events of 
the new century. The questioning words in our minds 
are, who, zvhich, and what? 

"Who'll press for gold the crowded streets, 

A century to come? 
Who'll tread the churches with willing feet, 

A century to come? 
Pale, trembling age and fiery youth. 
And childhood with the brow of truth; 
The rich and poor on land and sea — 
Where will the mighty millions be 

A century to come? 



8o A HISTORY OF THE 

We all within our graves shall sleep 

A century to come. 
No living soul for us will weep 

A century to come. 
And other men our lands will till, 
And others then our streets will fill, 
And others shout and sing as gay, 
And bright the sunshine as today, 

A century to come." 



ADDRESS OF HON. JAMES H. TOLMAN, 
OF WESTBROOK, MAINE. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — - 

Although most of the faces before me seem to be those 
of strangers, yet I feel that I ought to address you as 
neighbors and friends. Time has gone so quickly that it 
seems but a few days since I was one of the citizens of the 
town, and, for this reason it seems as if I should know you 
all, and claim you as fellow townsmen. But the interven- 
ing years have wrought many changes, and the many new 
faces that are here before me are a reminder that the time 
between those earlier years and the present has been much 
longer than it seems. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 8l 

Nevertheless, with all these changes, this town has many 
pleasant reminiscences for me ; and, of all the places in the 
vicinity, this very spot where we are gathered is to me, for 
many reasons, the dearest of all. In the second house to 
the east of the church opposite to us, on the same side of 
the street, is the place where I was born. It is here that 
we school-mates would meet for our games and plays, as 
it seemed to be the central place for all sports. We were 
so near to the pond that in summer we could steal away 
when our parents were not on the watch, and go in swim- 
ming. Here was the place where in winter we boys and 
girls gathered for our coasting. We would go to the very 
top of the Dawes Hill, and slide through the village, and 
even beyond. Often, when some of the older men were 
going to the village, we would have a passenger down. As 
we wanted to be generous and help the traveler on his way, 
we would get him on our sled, but, from timidity, or from 
a desire to help steer, he would usually drag his feet. I 
suppose he thought that he was putting on the brakes, but 
he usually brought about an unlooked-for result, and landed 
us in the ditch, buried in the snow-drifts. As our guest 
always occupied the front seat on the sled we were quite 
willing to go in for the sake of seeing the old fellow crawl 
out of the drifts. 

We used to have fine skating, both on the pond to the 
north of us, and on Long Pond, as it was then called. It 
would be the work of the boys just beginning to learn to 
skate, with the help sometimes of others, to collect the 
brush and old wood for our bon-fire, which was built large 
and high, so that it would last as long as any cared to stay 
out, and would give light about all over the pond. 



82 A HISTORY OF THE 

With these recollections in mind it certainly gives me 
great pleasure to have the privilege of meeting with you 
today, and joining in the celebration of the anniversary 
of this grand old town of Harrison. Of course there are 
other towns and cities in this broad land of ours, which may 
be larger in area, and may be able to boast of a much 
greater population, of more manufacturing industries, and 
of a larger valuation, but, with all this in their favor, there 
is probably no spot on earth so dear to many of us here 
today as Harrison. Its situation makes it the most lovely 
spot that the sun ever shone upon. So beautiful, so lovely, 
is this situation that it can justly claim to be at the head of 
this great County, seated as it is at the head of the line, 
watching over the destinies of the grand old County of 
Cumberland. 

Harrison, with its beautiful Long Lake reaching down 
through the center of the County, or nearly so, with its 
charming long arms still further stretched out as if inviting 
both strangers and friends to come and enjoy with us its 
pleasures and beauty ; to roam over its beautiful hills, 
which are so high that they overlook nearly all of the 
County; to wander in its forests; to drink of God's only 
beverage for man or beast at Summit Spring, that fountain 
of life, the drinking from which will renew the youth of 
the old, if any such a place was ever created; to enjoy the 
lovely lake at the northern part of the town known, I be- 
lieve, to the younger people here as Crystal Lake, but to 
us older members of the tribe as Anonymous Pond ; to 
delight, in the eastern part of the town, in the beauties of 
the valley of Crooked River, which, besides being known 
far and wide for its picturesqueness and charm, also affords 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 83 

US excellent water power for our mills ; and to note at the 
southern part of the town the same beauties which the 
eastern and western parts can boast. You may travel the 
world over, go into every corner of the earth if you like, 
and you can find no more suitable location for the Garden 
of Eden than the town of Harrison. This is the land 
which flows with milk and honey. Here is the place where 
many of us spent our childhood days. It is here we had 
our greatest pleasures and enjoyments, but like all others 
we did not fully realize the blessings with which we were 
surrounded. We were in the spring-time of life, and we 
could not comprehend it, always wishing for something 
better, for something different from what we had. 

But now we are at a mile-stone, and, while we do not 
wish to turn back after having put our hands to tlie plow, 
we do want to stop and review the past, talk of the present, 
and consider the future. Let us look at the blessings which 
we had in our younger days, and comprehend and enjoy 
now through memory those things which we ought to have 
enjoyed more in our youth ; and let us pass in review some 
of the pleasant things which have happened, some of the 
kind acts and charities performed in this good old town. 
While this is a day of joy, I feel that there is somewhere 
also a note of sadness. Let us speak not only of the bright 
side of the picture, but somewhat of that which lies in the 
shadow. As I look about me and go over the past, I call 
to mind those good old citizens who were ever maintaining 
the puritanic ideas, and were always faithful and true to 
their own convictions ; those men and women who lived 
a life which made other men and women better, which made 
them true to themselves and to their God ; who always had 



84 A HISTORY OF THE 

a cheery word and a warm welcome whenever and wherever 
you might meet them. I see those men now — the Har- 
mons, Burnhams, Walkers, Perleys, Frosts, Brays, Cum- 
mingses, Stanleys, Carsleys, Bucks, Ingallses, Chaplins, 
Sampsons, Peirces, Hamblins, Howards, Abbotts, Wood- 
sums, Bracketts, and a great many others that I might 
mention. I would like to make special mention of two 
others for whom I always had great respect and esteem. 
They seemed to me to be as near correct as it was possible 
for mortal man to be. They were true to their faith, every 
Sunday finding them in their accustomed places of worship, 
they always met you with a friendly greeting, and even 
the boys always received a kind word from them. I refer 
to Edward K. and James G. Whitney. There were many 
more who always seemed to me to be the salt of the earth. 
If I should chance to overreach the rules of propriety, 
I trust that you will pardon me, but this occasion calls to 
my mind one who was near to me. Now that we have all 
come home to help to celebrate the birthday of our dear 
old town, we have a right, so I have been told, to speak 
of our own, and of each other ; hence what I have to say 
cannot be deemed out of character. I refer to my own 
father, who always took such a lively interest in any mat- 
ters which he thought would benefit this town. Such an 
occasion as this would have been his meat and drink. I 
well remember of his telling me many times of the great 
Fourth of July Celebration held here at the "Head of the 
Pond" many years ago; how he had the management and 
direction of the day's entertainment ; how, through his 
instrumentality, the band from Massachusetts was secured; 
and of what a wonderful celebration it was in every way. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 85 

That which can be said of his interest and activity in this 
instance can also be said of him in the more quiet walks 
of life. He was always ready to respond to calls for 
charity, always trying to maintain those principles of our 
forefathers which have been handed down to us, — and 
which, I am sorry to say, many of us are neglecting — al- 
ways advising and assisting young men in the maintenance 
of those principles. He was always faithful and true, ever 
mindful of the future. 

I wonder if he and his fellow workers are not looking 
down from the battlements of heaven and rejoicing with 
us today. Surely it seems as if all heaven and earth has 
joined with us to make this a most grand celebration. It 
was the spirit of men like them which laid the foundation 
of this town ; which has given us the best system of schools 
the world has ever seen ; which has built and maintained 
our churches : which is teaching and fostering true civi- 
lization and liberty. This is the spirit which will uproot 
the mother of all evil, and the father of all crime, man's 
worst enemy and the devil's best friend. This is the spirit 
which we should maintain, for there is an element quietly 
working to undermine the foundation laid by our fore- 
fathers, and to overthrow it. It is for us to stand firm, 
and see to it that that which our ancestors have handed 
down to us is protected and preserved. As the Children 
of Israel after crossing the river into the promised land, 
were to erect a monument of stones so that their children 
and their children's children in after years would have an 
object lesson, in order not to forget the great blessing 
given to them, and to their fathers before them, by an 
overruling providence, so let these principles which have 



86 A HISTORY OF THE 

been handed down to us by our fathers, and our fathers' 
fathers, be their monument, which we will cherish, protect 
and emulate. Let us all strive together to maintain them. 

In noting what the town has had, and now has, for its 
industries we shall see that, although the manufactures 
of the town may possibly have been small when compared 
with those of some of the larger towns, Harrison has 
furnished its full share of products to the markets of the 
world. Many, in looking back, can remember how this 
place used to be a great trade center for Maine, New Hamp- 
shire, and Vermont. I refer to the boating industry. The 
canal boats would freight goods from Portland to this place, 
and then they would be distributed by teams through other 
towns and States. This business was, of course, injured 
by the building and operating of the Grand Trunk Railway, 
and the final destruction of the old canal was brought about 
when the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad was built. 

There were other industries here. The manufacture of 
wire, quite an old industry, which was engaged in at first, 
I think, by Farley and Tolman, was later organized into 
the firm of P. Tolman & Co., consisting of P. Tolman, 
John W. Caswell, and Franklin Walker. The first mill 
which I remember was the one we called the "old wire 
mill," which stood above A. K. Morse's place, and near 
where Sumner Whitney's saw mill now is. Later was built 
the new wire mill where Mr. Whitney's chair and furniture 
factory now is. The firm of P. Tolman & Co. continued 
the same until the death of Franklin Walker. After this 
the business was continued for a few years, and then the 
other members withdrew and dissolved the partnership. 

There was the foundry of T. H. Ricker, which was, as 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 87 

I recall it, enlarged by the addition of a machine-shop. 
This firm, now known as T. H. Ricker & Sons, has been 
very successful, and is today an industry of which we may 
all well be proud. Then there were the N. N. Caswell 
mills, which always did quite a business, and continued 
successfully until the death of Mr. Caswell. This estab- 
lishment, largely a stave mill, is now owned by N. N. Cas- 
well's son, H. H. Caswell, who has largely changed the 
business, and carries on a large grain business on the same 
spot, and runs the grist mill in connection with it. 

Samuel Gray and others who have been successful in the 
lumber business, have given to the markets of the world 
their share of products, and there have been many other 
industries. For a few years there was a woolen mill, the 
firm being known as The Harrison Water Power Co. It 
was incorporated by act of the Legislature in the year 
1868, with Samuel Thomes, Philander Tolman, Silas Blake, 
Samuel Gray, Joshua Howard, and John Dawes, as in- 
corporators. This was for a time the largest industry in 
town, and was continued until the mill was destroyed by 
fire. In the eastern part of the town were other industries 
which were, as I remember them, principally lumber mills 
owned by O. G. Cook, Cyrus Scribner, and others. 

Today you have in place of the wire mill a chair factory, 
presided over by our active and hustling friend, C. Sumner 
Whitney. In place of the woolen mill you have a saw mill 
just built by Pitts & Doughty, which is doing a thriving 
business. The cooperage business has nearly, or quite, 
disappeared from the village, but there are a large number 
of inhabitants who are still engaged in lumbering, and all 
are active, busy, and happy. I should judge that T. H. 



88 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Ricker & Son's macliine-shop is the largest industry which 
has stood the test of all the hard times, and they are now 
shipping, not only to our own markets, but also to many 
foreign ports. The mills in the eastern part of the town 
have a good business, especially the Scribner mills which 
have been during the last few years, and now are, doing 
an increasing business. 

The town has always been well represented in the va- 
rious professions. In the legal profession, one of our best 
lawyers was, I think, Harrison Blake, a man who was al- 
ways looked to for counsel, and who stood high in his 
profession. He was much respected, and was an old time 
settler who was well known throughout the coimtry. He 
was succeeded by the late Hon. A. A. Strout, who gained 
a wide reputation, and is doubtless well remembered by 
many who are present. He was succeeded by Hon. Caleb 
A. Chaplin, who was deeply interested in the welfare- of 
the town, especially in its educational life. Many of us 
can remember how he pulled us through those hard ex- 
amples in arithmetic and algebra, and helped us to un- 
tangle the twisted sentences in analysis and parsing, and 
for our questions in history his answers were ever ready. 
He continued to practice law here until his death. Hon. 
Obadiah G. Cook, after having served as Clerk of Courts 
for several years, settled at Bolster's Mills in the eastern 
part of this town, and practiced law for many years. He 
always took an active interest in town affairs, and always 
seemed to be on the right side of all questions. 

The medical profession has been as well represented in 
the past as has the legal profession. The first doctor that 
I remember was John E. Dunnells, M. D. He was an ex- 



TOWN OF HARRISOX. 89 

ceptionally good surgeon and physician who had an exten- 
sive practice extending over a wide territory. His life 
and work were very deeply impressed upon my mind be- 
cause of the fact that, when he went out in his old-fashioned 
"one-hoss shay," his son John and myself were often a 
part of the necessary outfit. We always preferred to sit 
on the outside, — one on each side of the good doctor. He 
was not a man of whom it could be said that he "rusted 
out," for he continued his practice up to the time of his 
death, which occurred one evening when he dropped dead 
after walking from the store to his house. In the follow- 
ing years the profession was represented by Drs. Dunn, 
and Pease, our late lamented Dr. H. H. Cole, and by our 
present physicians, Drs. Sylvester, and Blake, all able men, 
and all well thought of throughout the surrounding territory. 

In the ministry there has been a large number of very 
able men. One, whom I shall always remember because 
of his faithfulness, was the Rev. Mr. Shelden. Certainly 
he was always about his Master's business. There was 
another whom I so liked to hear that I used to walk nearly 
every Sunday over to the old Free Will Baptist church, 
about three miles from the village. I refer to the Rev. Mr. 
Bartlett. It seems to me as if I can hear his words now 
as he used to so earnestly express them to us. There were 
other noble men who did good work in an earnest way. 
A proof of this is seen in the young men who, following 
the good examples set by these leaders, have entered the 
ministry. 

There are others who have gone out from our town, and 
are making their mark in the world, leaving an influence 
that tells, not only in the community where they live, but 



90 A HISTORY OF THE 

in the country at large. Some have been heard from in 
Legislative bodies, and others in different vocations of life. 
There is the Hon. George H. Buck, who has worked him- 
self up to such a fine position that he exerts a commanding 
influence in the community where he now resides. The Hon. 
M. E. Ingalls is another who, as a railroad man, has no 
superior, and who today controls and has under his manage- 
ment one of the largest systems of railroads in the country. 
He is a man who has great influence, whose counsel and 
advice is eagerly sought and much esteemed. Another man 
who is certainly an honor to our town is the President of 
this meeting, the Hon. Charles S. Cook, who has just fin- 
ished his third term as a member of the Governor's Council. 
I suppose there is no doubt that he can be Governor of the 
State if he choose, but I believe that he will be the successor 
of our worthy Representative to Congress, Hon. Amos L. 
Allen, whenever he is ready to lay down the mantle. There 
are others who have gone from here into the West, and have 
met with great, success. Of those who have gone into the 
neighboring towns. I recall one grand old man of whom I 
love to think. That is Sumner Burnham, who went from 
this town to Norway, and was instrumental in organizing 
the Norway National Bank, serving, I believe, as its first 
President. He was a man who left on "the sands of time" 
footprints worthy to be followed, a man whose influence 
still lives. There are many others whom we would de- 
light to honor, and I should like to name them all if time 
would permit. 

Before closing I would like for a moment to compare 
your present means of conveyance with what it was in the 
past. One hundred years ago, I presume that it was largely 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 91 

by stage to Portland, a method decidedly slow and tire- 
some. As time went on the town was favored with a 
steamer which run to Standish, the passengers being con- 
veyed from there to Portland in coaches. This boat was 
under the command of Capt. C. C. W. Sampson, and 
Thomas R. Sampson was Clerk and Purser. This, of 
course, was a pleasanter and better means of transportation 
for the summer season. The freighting was done by canal 
boats in the summer, passing through the old Cumberland 
& Oxford Canal. After the building of the Grand Trunk 
Railway, passengers and mails were conveyed to South 
Paris by stage, and freight was hauled to that place by 
teams. Later we were much better served by the building 
of the Portland & Ogdensburg R. R., with steamers and 
sail boats running to the Lake Station in Standish. Our 
condition was still more improved when the Bridgton & 
Saco River R. R. was built, but as that stopped at Bridgton 
it was not satisfactory to our inhabitants. Harrison did 
not propose to remain quiet, and the agitation in regard 
to better means of transportation finally brought about the 
extension of the Bridgton road to this place. This makes, 
of course, the best means of transportation that you have 
ever had, but, in my opinion, it is not as good as you are 
to have in the future. The time is coming, and it is not 
very far distant, when you will see electric cars coming into 
your community. When that time comes you will have 
far better facilities than you have ever had, and with a rea- 
sonable fare to Portland. 

. In closing I wish to express my gratification for the priv- 
ilege of addressing you on this occasion, and for the still 
greater pleasure of meeting and greeting my old friends 
and former townsmen. I thank you all for your indul- 
gence in listening to me. 



92 A HISTORY OF THE 



CENTENNIAL POEM. 



By Mrs. Grace Br.\y Pugsley. 



One magic word there is that never fails 
To open wide the door of memory; 

On noiseless hinges swings the moss-grown gate, 
And lo ! in childhood's land we wander free ; 

Where'er men bide, however far they roam. 

Hearts beat responsive to the thought of home. 

Sometimes it chances in our busiest hours, 
A strange swift vision smites the weary brain, 

And through green country lanes we seem to walk, 
A barefoot boy, or laughing girl again. 

Without, the tumult of the noisy street. 

Within, a sudden stillness, calm and sweet. 

And so with eager hearts we come today 

To greet the hundredth birth year of the place 

Where cluster fragrant memories of home ; 
Gladly we drop life's burdens for a space. 

Drawn to the old familiar haunts at last, 

By unseen cords that bind us to the past. 

A century ago our fathers came. 

Ere yet was born our grand old Pine Tree State, 
Slow pushing onward through the wilderness. 

Sturdy, undaunted challengers of fate. 
And pitched their camp, the toilsome journey done, 
Upon the wooded slopes of Harrison. 

Fair village, nestling by the quiet lakes, 

Green farms that stretch away on either hand. 

Who knoweth if some vision, piercing through 
The forest depths that covered all the land. 

Revealed to them the picture fair we see. 

And gave them courage for the days to be? 



TOWN OF HARRISOX. 93 

And yet it well may be they needed not 

To look beyond the duty close at hand, — 
To carve a home from out the wilderness, 

To wrest a living from the virgin land. 
Theirs the fierce joy of conquest, day by day. 
Bending the powers of Nature to their sway. 

Courage and faith and patience, too, v^-ere theirs ; 

Cheerful they toiled for love of child and wife. 
And dwelling close to Nature's throbbing heart. 

They lived the "simple" and the "strenuous" life ; 
Then, full of days, their time for labor past. 
In calm content lay down to rest at last. 

Thus was the wilderness reclaimed ; where once 
Dwelt undisturbed wild creatures of the wood. 

And pine-crowned hills looked down on peaceful lakes. 
Close guarded by eternal solitude. 

There lay the fields of ripening grain, 

And thrifty, happy homes on hill and plain. 

The early struggles of the pioneers 

Were past forever ; life had easier grown ; 

Their children's children might in comfort dwell. 
And reap the fruit those horny hands had sown ; 

Might live in peace a healthful farmer's life 

Of honest toil, untouched by greed or strife. 

But youth loves change and action ; and while some 
Still followed in their fathers' steps, content, 

Full many a youth and maiden felt the stir 
Of that adventurous spirit that had sent 

Their grandsires forth, through trackless wastes to roam. 

And far from beaten paths to build their home. 

Impatient of restraint, intolerant 

Of narrow bounds, lusting for something new. 
Ambitious for achievements high and great. 

From year to year the inward fever grew, 
Till forth the}' fared, each on his unknown way, 
To mingle boldly in the world's great fray. 



94 -^ HISTORY OF THE 

Each for himself must choose. The fathers fought 

With Nature's forces in the wilderness ; 
In crowded city streets the children strive 

In ways unknown of old to win success. 
So faith and courage for the strife be found, 
What matters it where lies the battle ground? 

Each for himself must choose. Some feet may stray 
In tortuous paths that lead not to the goal ; 

Some spend themselves for that which is not bread, 
And feed with empty husks the starving soul ; 

Some weaklings, falling by the wayside, lie 

Prone in the dust, and beg from passers-by. 

But they that cherish high ideals, and strive 
For larger things than ease or wealth or fame, 

Who even in the heat of conflict keep 

Unsullied still their fathers' honored name. 

These knightly souls go forth the world to meet, 

And victory wring from bitterest defeat. 

In quiet country places born and bred. 

Inspired by old traditions of their sires, 
Strong-limbed, clear-eyed, clean-handed sons of toil, 

These keep alive our country's sacred fires ; 
Their shoulders bear the burden of the State, — 
These are the men that make our nation great. 

Our land hath need of men ! The ceaseless tide 
Of alien blood that beats against our coast, 

The lust for gold that grips the hearts of men, 
Until their shame becomes their brazen boast, 

The plague-spots that our crowded cities breed. 

Familiar things to which we give small heed, — 

These call aloud for men, strong, fearless, true. 
To stem corruption's swelling flood, to fight 

The battle of the weak, to wisely guide 
Our alien millions into Freedom's light. 

No child's play this ! Life's bravest pioneers 

Must blaze the way of hope for coming years. 



TOWX OF HARRISON. 95 

All honor to brave men wlio leave their homes 

For love of country in her time of need ; 
All honor to strong youths who journey forth 

At dut}''s call, and not from sordid greed, 
Or aimless love of change ; their eyes shall see 
The promised land, the fruits of victory. 

But what if all our fresh, red country blood 

Shall pour into the city's fevered veins. 
And lose itself, a wanton sacrifice 

Of our great nation's hope, till naught remains 
Of such fair scenes as greet our eyes today, 
But empty dwellings falling to decay? 

A ceaseless human stream flows cityward; 

Then must we guard the sources jealously, 
Lest, of a sudden, life's cool springs run dry, 

And where once stalwart men were reared, we see 
Abandoned farms, weed-grown and desolate, 
And know our reckless folly all too late. 

The springs of life lie hid in far-ofif hills, 

Whose solemn grandeur thrills the awe-struck soul ; ii 

Down rocky slopes, through shadowy forests' depths, l| 

Or sunny vales, its healing waters roll. 
Who dwelleth close to Nature's faithful breast. 
May drink deep draughts of strength and joy and rest. 

But who from childhood dwells in crowded streets. 

And daily breathes the city's stifling air, 
Caught in the whirling stream of frantic haste, 

That sweeps him on, heedless how others fare, 
Snatching his pleasures with a feverish grasp. 
Then rushing onward to some hurrying task, 

What knows he of the satisfying joy 

Of him that talks to Nature face to face, 
Takes from her hand the fruit of healthful toil. 

Finds on her gracious breast a resting place 
Through cool, sweet nights, while summer breezes blow, 
And days of peace, when souls have time to grow. 



96 A HISTORY OF THE 

Ye that are free to choose and wise to know 
The best of Hfe, whose happy children play 

In sunny fields, or cool, dark woods, and learn 
From Nature's self her secrets day by day, 

Sons of the soil, yours are the homes that feed 

The springs of life to meet the country's need. 

O, loyal sons of Harrison, who come 

From far or near on this glad festal day, 
The spirit of our fathers liveth yet 

To thrill the heart with purpose high, alway ; 
With dauntless courage that may know no fears, 
With memories that bridge the gulf of years. 

Our task, to teach our children faith like theirs 
In God and man, and courage to do and dare, 

Patience to wait the slow fulfillment of 

Their hopes, pure love that lightens every care, 

Calm trust that just beyond earth's ceaseless strife 

Lie endless years of more abundant life. 

It is very much to be regretted that we are unable to 
give any report of the addresses of Rev. C. C. Sampson, 
Rev. F. E. Winn, Hon. Amos L. Allen, and Hon. George 
A. Hibbard, but the matter of providing a stenographer 
was overlooked, and no report whatever was made of these 
addresses. We can simply say that all of them were able 
and eloquent, and ought to appear in full in this book. It 
is especially to be regretted that those of Revs. Sampson 
and Winn cannot be printed, as they were of local interest 
to a greater degree than the others, both gentlemen being 
so well known, one being a native of the town, and the 
other the pastor of the Congregational church at the time 
of the celebration. 

The literary exercises of the afternoon, and of the day, 
were closed by the singing of the following Centennial Ode : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 97 

CENTENNIAL ODE TO HARRISON.* 



Composed by Mrs. H.'»lRriette F. Farwell, Bethel, Me. 



We hear your summons, loud and clear, 

Harrison, old Harrison : 
Come, all ye sons and daughters dear, 

Who love your native Harrison ; 
Come home once more and haste to greet 
The friends of old you used to meet 
In church or school, or on the street 

Of the old, busy Harrison. 

One hundred years have passed away, 

Harrison, old Harrison ; 
Since, on a glad, auspicious day 

You took the name of Harrison ; 
Where stood the stately forest trees. 
Now grain is waving in the breeze. 
No more in fireless church we freeze, 

As in the old time Harrison. 

The schoolhouses so old and gray. 
No more are found in Harrison ; 

But long ago have given way 
To better ones in Harrison. 

And yet we look with honest pride 

On those who in their youth defied 

All bars to progress, though denied 
The wealth now found in Harrison. 

I long to see you once again, 

Harrison, old Harrison ; 
To climb your steep and rugged hills, 

Harrison, old Harrison ; 
To sail upon your grand old lakes, 
Join in the chorus which awakes 
Glad echoes till the old earth quakes 

In Harrison, old Harrison. 

*This poem was sung to the air of "Maryland, my Maryland,' 
by the Norway Quartet. 



PART II. 



Historical 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLY HISTORY OF MAINE. 



TN the early days of Harrison there was no State of 
-^ Maine. It was a District instead, and was a part of Mas- 
sachusetts, and under its jurisdiction as much as any other 
part of that State. For fifteen years after the incorpo- 
ration of our town the only "Legislature" known was the 
"General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," 
and the town was probably represented there, although for 
some unknown reason the records fail to show the names 
of the representatives, or the number of votes cast for 
them. As Maine is territory that is not contiguous to 
Massachusetts it doubtless seems strange to many that such 
a state of affairs existed, and comparatively little is known 
as to the reasons therefor ; nor in relation to the early 
history of the State, except as it was a part of the whole 
nation. \'ery few students in our schools can give any 
information in regard to the history of Maine separate 
from that of the whole United States, and there is little 
wonder that it is so since all school histories are silent on 
the topic. Therefore it seems well to give a short chapter 
on the early history of Maine at the commencement of 
the historical portion of this book. 

Maine early attracted the attention of the explorers. 
In 1497, only five years after Columbus' first discovery, 
the Cabots discovered the coast of Labrador, or Newfound- 
land, and thence sailed as far south as Maine, and perhaps 
Massachusetts, and upon those discoveries England based 
her claim to this part of North America. In 1524, John 



I02 A HISTORY OF THE 

Verrazano, in the service of France, proceeded along the 
coast from the thirty-fourth to near the fiftieth degree of 
north latitude, "keeping the coast of Maine in sight for 
more than fifty leagues," and on his discoveries France 
grounded its claim to North American territory. A little 
later, Gomez, a Spanish adventurer, sailed along the whole 
coast from Newfoundland to the capes of Delaware. The 
mythical city, or country, of Norumbega, with all of its 
fabled splendors and riches, was imagined by some to be 
located in Maine, and the Penobscot River was supposed 
to be the road by which it could be reached. This caused 
more than one voyager to seek this region in order that he 
might search for the wonderful land. Indeed Verrazano, 
in 1529, speaks of "Aranbega" ^ — which is another name 
for the wonderful place — as being on the New England 
coast, though he restricts it to an apparently unimportant 
locality; but in 1539, it is treated as a vast and opulent 
region reaching from Cape Breton to Florida. Three 
years later Allefonsce described the "River of Norumbega," 
which has since been identified with the Penobscot. A 
sailor named David Ingram represented that he was put 
ashore in the Gulf of Mexico in 1567, by Sir John Hawkins, 
and made his way by Indian trails to Canada, which he 
reached in 1568, and that before he reached there he passed 
through a wonderful city, three-fourths of a mile across, 
the houses in which had pillars of crystal and silver ; that 
he saw a peck of pearls, and rubies six inches in length ; 
that the inhabitants wore heavy ornaments of gold, and 
were dressed in the richest of furs. These and similar 
stories attracted much attention, and caused voyagers to 
sail up the Penobscot in search of the wonderful country, 
that river being represented on one map as a strait reach- 
ing from the Atlantic Ocean to the St. Lawrence. John 
Smith, in 1620, speaks of the region as being as far south 
as Virginia, but Champlain in 1605, treated Norumbega 
as being wholly within the present State of Maine, and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I03 

searched for its capital along the Penobscot River as far 
as the site of the present City of Bangor. 

Gosnold, in 1602, Weymouth, in 1605, and John Smith, 
in 1614, explored the coast, and in 1604, a French expedi- 
tion under De Monts planted a colony on an island in the 
St. Croix River, only to be abandoned the next year. 
Maine fell within the limits of the grant made to the Ply- 
mouth Colony in 1606, and in the following year an English 
expedition sent out by Sir John Popham and Sir Ferdi- 
nando Gorges effected a settlement at Sabino Point at the 
mouth of the Sagadahoc, or Kennebec River, which was 
abandoned in 1608, most of the colonists returning to Eng- 
land. In 1622, Gorges and Sir John Mason received from 
the Council of New England a grant of the territory lying 
between the Merrimac and Kennebec Rivers, and the terri- 
tory was divided between them, Gorges taking the land east 
of the Piscataqua River. "The first permanent settlement 
in Maine was made at Pemaquid, in 1625-26 ; Agamenticus 
(York) was founded about the same time, and after 1630, 
Saco, Biddeford, Port Elizabeth, Portland, and Scarborough 
sprang up in rapid succession. In 1639, Gorges received 
a large accession of territory with the title of Lord Palatine, 
and established a provincial government at York." 

One authority says that there was something painful in 
the spectacle of the once vigorous and enterprising soldier 
amusing his old age by playing at King. "In no little 
German court of the last century could the forms of gov- 
ernment and the realities of life have been more at variance. 
To conduct the business of two fishing villages, Gorges 
called into existence a staff of officials which might have 
sufficed for the affairs of the Byzantine Empire." Says 
Palfrey: "The province was divided into two counties, 
one of which, Agamenticus, or York, was the principal 
settlement ; of the other, Saco. * * * The greatness 
of York made it arrogant, and it sent a deputation of alder- 
men and burgesses to the General Court at Saco to save 



I04 A HISTORY OF THE 

its metropolitan rights by solemn protest. The Proprietary 
was its friend, and before long exalted it still more by a 
city charter authorizing it and its suburbs, constituting a 
territory of twenty-one square miles, under the name of 
'Georgeana', to be governed by a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, 
a Common Council of twenty-four members, and a Re- 
corder, all to be chosen annually by the citizens. Probably 
as many as two-thirds of the adult males were in places of 
authority. * * * This grave foolery was acted more 
than ten years." 

In 1629-31, six patents had been issued by the Council 
of New England, covering the coast from the Piscataqua 
to the Kennebec, the most important embracing an extent 
of forty miles square bordering on Casco Bay, and named 
Ligonia. The colonies hitherto attempted had been mostly 
for fishing and fur trading, but this was to be an agricul- 
tural community, and became familiarly known as the "Plow 
patent." A company was formed and some settlers sent 
out, but they did not like the situation and removed to 
Massachusetts. It seems that there were ten of these hus- 
bandmen, and that they came in a ship named "The Plough," 
and had a patent "for land at Sagadahoc." In 1643, the 
troubles in England between King and Commons grew vi- 
olent, and in that year Alexander Rigby bought the old 
grant called Ligonia, or the "Plow Patent," and appointed 
George Cleeve as his deputy-president. About this time 
Governor Thomas Gorges returned to England, leaving 
his deputy. Vines, in his place, and a conflict of jurisdiction 
arose between Cleeve and Vines. Cleeve appealed to 
Massachusetts to settle the dispute, and both parties, in 
1645, agreed that the claims should be left to the decision 
of the Massachusetts Magistrates, who decided — that they 
could not decide the matter. But the next year the Com- 
missioners for American plantations in England decided 
in favor of Rigby ; and Vines left the country. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I05 

Sir Ferdinando Gorges died in 1647, and with him died 
all of his plans for kingdom and power in Maine. In 1652, 
Massachusetts, claiming that her patent, which included 
lands lying three miles north of the source of the Merrimac, 
took in all of the lower part of Maine, annexed all of the 
towns as far east as Casco Bay, most of the settlers favor- 
ing her authority. This authority was still further ex- 
tended, so that at the time of the Restoration of Charles II, 
in 1660, it practically covered all territory lying west of the 
Penobscot River. 

Upon the Restoration, the heir of Gorges claimed his 
rights in Maine and those rights were confirmed by the 
committee of Parliament; and in 1664, the King gave 
him an order to the Governor of Massachusetts to restore 
him his province. Commissioners came over and pro- 
ceeded through Maine, appointing various officers without 
the concurrence of Massachusetts, so that there was a 
conflict of authority, and for some years Maine was in 
confusion between the different parties that attempted to 
rule her people. Massachusetts seems to have paid no 
attention to royal edicts in this matter, and in 1668, sent four 
commissioners to York, who resumed and re-established the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, with which the majority of 
the people seemed the best pleased : and in 1669, the Dep- 
uties from ]\Iaine again took their seats in the Massachusetts 
General Court. Her jurisdiction was, however, still further 
disputed by the heirs of Gorges and Mason, and their 
claims were not fully settled until 1677, when they were 
purchased by Massachusetts for the sum of twelve hundred 
and fifty pounds sterling, and by the charter of 1691 she 
was confirmed in the possession of the territory. East of 
the Penobscot, however, the French still held the territory, 
and constantly stirred up the Indian tribes against the Eng- 
lish, Maine suffering greatly in the various Indian wars, 
many towns being laid waste, and a large extent of terri- 
tory devastated. 



I06 A HISTORY OF THE 

Maine was very active in the Patriot cause during the 
Revohition, and Cumberland County was especially forward 
in furnishing soldiers. McLellan's History of Gorham, 
says : 

"The alarm of the battles of Lexington and Concord 
reached Falmouth before daybreak on the 21st of April, 
1775, and caused tremendous excitement there and in all 
the region round about. A Falmouth company of soldiers 
started that same day for Boston, followed by others. A 
company of militia had been for some time organized in 
Gorham under the command of Capt. Hart Williams, and 
another in Gorham, Windham, and Standish, commanded 
by Capt. Wentworth Stuart of Gorham. These promptly 
followed the Falmouth company, but when they reached 
Wells, they were all ordered back to protect the coastwise 
towns, and returned, reaching Falmouth, April 24th." 

The authorities ordered that a regiment be raised in 
Cumberland County, where the militia was well organized 
in nearly all of the towns, and Edmund Phinney of Gorham, 
was appointed Colonel. This regiment, known as the 31st 
Massachusetts, arrived in Cambridge in July, and took part 
in the seige of Boston. On its "returns" we find the names 
of men from Gorham, Pearsontown, Windham, Rye, Nor- 
ton, Kittery, Barnerdstown, Falmouth, Penobscot, and Bar- 
wick. The regiment had no chance to take part in any im- 
portant battle, and the men saw "much skirmishing and 
indecisive fighting." The regiment was discharged from 
the service in December, 1775, and many of the men at 
once re-enlisted in Col. Phinney's new regiment, which was 
known as the i8th Continental, and entered the service, 
January i, 1776. This regiment was stationed at Cam- 
bridge for a time, and then was ordered to Fort Ticon- 
deroga, to re-enforce the Northern Army under Gen. Schuy- 
ler, in which they served out their tim.e and were discharged 
on the last of December, 1776, some of the men re-enlisting, 
and the others finding their way home as best they could. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 107 

A short service regiment was raised to garrison the forts 
at Boston after the evacuation, and the sixth company of 
this regiment was raised in Cumberland County, and com- 
manded by Capt. Richard Mayberry of Windham. On the 
roll of this company are found the names of men from 
Windham, Brunswick, Scarborough, Gorham, North Yar- 
mouth, New Gloucester, Harpswell, Pearsontown, Royals- 
town, New Boston, Dorchester, and Yarmouth. The regi- 
ment was commanded by Col. Ebenezer Francis, and after 
its term of service had expired he immediately raised 
another, known as the nth Massachusetts, which took part 
in the campaign that ended in the surrender of Burgoyne 
at Saratoga, and then joined Washington's army, and passed 
the winter at Valley Forge. Later this regiment served 
in the Third Massachusetts Brigade, taking part in the battle 
of Monmouth, where it was said to have suffered heavy 
losses, then went into camp at White Plains, in July, 1778, 
and during the following year served along the North River 
and in the western part of Connecticut. One company in 
this regiment was commanded by Capt. Richard Mayberry, 
and on its roll we find the names of many men from Cum- 
berland County. There were also many other Cumberland 
County men who served in other regiments, and later on 
some of these men, or their descendants, were to be found 
in Harrison and adjoining towns. 

But the men of Maine were active on the sea as well as 
on the land, and in the first year of the war, privateers began 
to be fitted out to prey on the English merchant vessels, 
and to resist some of the incursions of the British. Prom- 
inent among these privateersmen was Capt. O'Brien of 
Machias, then the extreme easterly outpost of the colonists, 
whose exploits so exasperated the British that Admiral 
Graves, then commander on the North American station, 
sent out a squadron of four vessels under Capt. Mowatt 
to "overawe" the colonists ; and Mowatt bombarded and 
destroyed the town of Falmouth (now Portland) in Oc- 



loS A HISTORY OF THE 

tober, 1775, compelling many women and children to seek 
shelter in hastily constructed huts at the beginning of a 
severe northern winter. Among these was Edward Preble, 
then only fourteen years of age, who was later famous as a 
captain in the American navy. 

The harbors and inlets of the coast of Maine was such 
a favorite resort of these privateers, and of other American 
cruisers, that in 1779, the British determined to establish 
a military post near the mouth of the Penobscot River, in 
order to command these harbors and inlets. Bagaduce 
Neck, now Castine, was the point selected for the fort, and 
about nine hundred men were sent from Halifax to erect 
fortifications. Gen. McLane being the commander. The 
Americans fitted up a fleet of nineteen war vessels under 
Commodore Saltonstall, and sent them against McLane. 
Accompanying this expedition were twenty-four transports, 
and Cumberland County furnished a regiment that went 
on these transports, under the command of Col. Jonathan 
Mitchell of North Yarmouth. There were about one thou- 
sand of the troops in all, and four hundred marines and 
soldiers were landed on June 28th, and attempted to dis- 
lodge the enemy. A brilliant engagement resulted, and it is 
said that the enemy's works would have been captured if 
it had not been for the "stubborn wilfulness of Commodore 
Saltonstall." But nothing decisive resulted, and on August 
14th, a British squadron appeared, and after a brief en- 
gagement routed and destroyed the American fleet. The 
soldiers made their way through the woods "to the Ken- 
nebec River, a distance of about thirty leagues, suffering 
great hardships and privations." 

At the close of the Revolution, Massachusetts still re- 
tained possession of the whole territory known as the "Dis- 
trict of Maine," comprising what were known as the "three 
eastern Counties of Massachusetts," ■ — York, Cumberland, 
and Lincoln. These Counties being separated from the 
remainder of the State by New Hampshire, "it was felt 



TOWN OF HARRISON. lOg 

by some of the inhabitants that a separate government 
might possess many and great advantages." The situation, 
as viewed from both sides, is succinctly set forth as follows 
by McLellan: 

"Just emerging from the long, hard struggle with the 
mother country, the State debt was large, and of necessity 
taxes must be very heavy for quite a number of years to 
come ; to the poor man this of course meant a good deal, 
particularly as thousands were already overwhelmed with 
debt. The seat of government was at a distance, and the 
expense of the journey such that, partly on account of 
this, in the year 1772, Gorham voted not to send a Repre- 
sentative to the General Court on account of poverty. For 
many years towns were accustomed to pay the expenses 
of their Representatives. Another thing of which they 
complained was, that in order to get papers necessary for 
evidence they were compelled to go to Boston where the 
records of the Supreme Court were kept ; that it was a 
great expense to the poor, on whom it generally fell, to 
return executions so far ; that no Supreme Court was held 
in Lincoln County, and only one a year in York and Cum- 
berland. Many of the honorable, wealthy, and influential 
men also advocated the measure as being for the benefit 
and special interest of the entire community. 

"On the other hand, the opponents of the measure, among 
whom were also to be found many men holding office, 
claimed that the people of Maine were ungrateful, that they 
had always received the best of care and many and great 
favors from the State Government, and that the power and 
force necessary to protect the District would be greatly 
weakened, if not altogether destroyed, by a separation at 
this time." 

Disputes with the mother State were frequent, and soon 
after 1783, steps looking towards independence were taken. 
This tendency toward separation w^as increased by the fact 
that the inhabitants of Maine were Democratic in their 



no A HISTORY OF THE 

political sympathies, and tolerated with difficulty the rule 
of Federalist Massachusetts. In the War of 1812, the 
District was left illy protected, and the whole territory 
east of the Penobscot was occupied by the British, and this 
tended to widen the breach still farther. 

As early as 1785, on New Year's day, appeared in Fal- 
mouth (now Portland) the first number of the Falmouth 
Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, the first newspaper to be 
published in the District of Maine, and it was founded for 
the purpose of assisting the erection of the State of Maine, 
and in September, in the first year of publication, there 
appeared in it a call for a "Conference" upon the proposal 
of having a separate government. This call was without 
date or signature, but in response thirty-three delegates, 
representing twenty towns, met in Falmouth, on October 
5th, 1785, and, after due discussion, it was voted to appoint 
a committee of seven, with Gen. Peleg Wadsworth as 
chairman, to draw up a circular to be sent to the different 
towns and plantations in the District, requesting them to 
send delegates to another convention, and in response to 
this request another convention was held on January 4, 
1786, at which the matter was discussed at length, and a 
long statement of facts and grievances drawn up. The 
convention also voted that another convention be held at 
the same place the following September. 

The third convention was duly convened at Falmouth 
on September 4, 1786, with the same officers that served 
at the preceding meetings, and resolved that the statement 
of grievances, as put forth by the last convention was in 
the main as represented, and that the only remedy lay in 
the District having the power to make its own laws. A 
committee was appointed to draw up a petition to the 
General Court asking that Maine be set off into a separate 
and independent State ; and the committee was also to 
prepare an address to the several towns in the District, 
asking them to assemble and act upon the subject, and make 



TOWN OF HARRISON. Ill 

returns of their votes to the convention when it should re- 
assemble. On the re-assembling of the convention on Jan- 
uary 31, 1787, it was found that 1,004 votes had been cast, 
of which number 645 favored separation and 359 were 
opposed. The petition to the Massachusetts Legislature 
was not sent until the following year, and it ended in failure. 

Other attempts were made in 1791, 1792, 1795, and 1797, 
all ineffectual, and in 1792, a vote taken in the various towns 
resulted in a majority against separation. Little more 
seemed to be done until after the War of 1812, when the 
subject was brought up afresh, and the General Court voted 
that a vote be taken in the towns and plantations of the 
District on the question : "Shall the Legislature be re- 
quested to give its consent to the separation of the District 
of Maine from Massachusetts, and the erection of the said 
District into a separate State?" If five-ninths of the votes 
favored separation, a convention of delegates to be chosen 
at the same time was to meet in Brunswick, and proceed 
to form a State Constitution. The vote was taken on the 
first Monday in September, 1816, and the result was, 11,969 
yeas, and 10,347 nays, and so the measure lacked the nec- 
essary five-ninths of the votes. Harrison had become a 
voting power at that time, and had nearly one hundred 
voters, but did not seem to take a very lively interest in 
the matter, as the vote was twenty-three in favor and fif- 
teen opposed. The convention of delegates met the same as 
if separation had received the number of votes needed, and, 
being very largely in favor of a separate State, adopted 
the report of a committee in which it was attempted to show 
by a system of reasoning that would shame some of the 
modern politicians, that five-ninths of the votes were really 
in favor, but the General Court declined to give heed to 
any such proof, and dissolved the convention. 

The next attempt was made in 1819, and it proved to be 
the final one. About seventy towns petitioned the Legis- 
lature on the subject, and on June 19th, a law was passed 



112 A HISTORY OF THE 

consenting to a separation, provided that the measure should 
receive a majority of fifteen hundred votes. On the fourth 
Monday in July, the vote was taken, and resulted in a 
majority in favor of separation much larger than was re- 
quired by the law, thus settling the long fought contest. 
The vote of Harrison at this election was forty in favor 
of separation to two opposed, showing that less than half 
of the voters had taken sufficient interest to appear at the 
polls. 

The next step was for the people of the corporate towns 
to choose delegates to a convention to be holden in Portland, 
for the purpose of forming a State Constitution. Col. 
Amos Thomes was the delegate from Harrison. The con- 
vention met on October ii, 1819, and a committee of thirty- 
three selected from the different counties was chosen to 
draft the constitution, John Holmes, one of Maine's most 
distinguished sons, being the chairman of the committee. 
The constitution was completed and signed on October 29, 
and submitted to the people on the first Monday in De- 
cember, when it was ratified by a very large majority, Har- 
rison casting nineteen votes in its favor, with none opposed. 
Thus ended finally a contest of thirty-seven years standing, 
and it seems to have been settled without leaving hard 
feelings behind. Governor Brooks of Massachusetts al- 
luded to the matter in his annual message, speaking in al- 
most affectionate terms of the harmony that had prevailed 
between Massachusetts and her "foster child," and closing 
as follows : 

"But the time of separation is at hand. Conformably 
to the memorable act of June 19th last, the sixteenth day 
of March next will terminate forever the political unity 
of Massachusetts proper and the District of Maine; and 
that District, which is bone of our bone, and flesh of our 
flesh, will assume her rank as an independent State in the 
American Confederacy." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. II3 

Congress admitted the new State to the Union on March 
4, 1820, and as March 15th was the date of the termination 
of its connection with Massachusetts, Maine became an 
independent State on March 16, 1820. It is said that the 
separation of Maine from Massachusetts was hastened by 
the contest over the admission of Missouri to the Union, 
it being necessary to have a northern State to admit in order 
that the balance of power be preserved. The new State 
had a population of 298,335, thus showing an increase of 
nearly 70,000 in ten years, notwithstanding the ravages 
of the "War of 1812," and the fact that the celebrated 
"Ohio Fever" is estimated to have taken from ten to fifteen 
thousand from our population. There were 236 towns, 
embraced in the counties of Cumberland, Hancock, Lincoln, 
Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Somerset, Washington and 
York. 

Since IMaine became an independent State in 1820, most 
of her history is well known to the casual reader, but the 
events of the "Madawask-^," and "Aroostook" wars are 
somewhat obscure in history, although they came very near 
to be "stern realities" for a time. Historical authorities 
are by no means agreed as to the facts in regard to these 
events, but the following brief statement seems to be cor- 
rect: 

By the vague and indefinite wording of the Treaty of 
Peace, of 1783, between the United States and Great Britain 
the northeastern boundary of Maine became a matter of 
dispute, each side claiming a large tract of land. In 1829, 
the matter was referred to the King of Netherlands for ar- 
bitration, and he tried to please both parties by "splitting 
the difference," and making a line about half way between 
the two lines, thus endeavoring to establish a line which did 
not satisfy either party, and which Maine would not accept, 
nor the United States Senate ratify. When the "surplus 
revenue" was distributed in 1837, the United States agent 
that went to Madawaska to take the census and distribute 
the money was twice arrested, which led to the calling out 



114 A HISTORY OF THE 

of the militia by the State authorities, and threatening 
conditions for a time. A message from President Van 
Buren caused the freeing of the agent, and the averting 
of serious trouble, thus ending the "Madawaska War." 

Again, in 1839, the plunder of valuable timber lands by- 
trespassers from New Brunswick led to the attempt by 
Maine forces to drive away the timber thieves and destroy 
their camps. There was a collision, Governor Harvey of 
New Brunswick at once announced that British soil had 
been invaded and called out the militia. Maine volunteers 
rushed to the spot, the State Legislature appropriated 
$800,000, and a draft of 10,343 militia was ordered at once. 
War was imminent, and in short order, 10,000 Maine troops 
were marching towards the "seat of war" through deep 
snow and freezing gales. 

The National Government was roused, and Congress at 
once passed an act authorizing the President to raise 50,000 
troops, and appropriated $10,000,000 to defray the expense. 
Gen. Scott and his staff proceeded at once to Augusta, he 
being "charged with maintaining the peace and safety of 
the entire northern and eastern frontier." Although he had 
30,000 troops at his immediate call he did not "let loose 
the dogs of war," but acted as peacemaker; and through 
his efforts a settlement was made which brought peace, and 
caused the release of all prisoners. Both sides made mu- 
tual pledges, the militia disbanded and returned to their 
homes, and the bloodless "Aroostook War" was ended. 

This settlement was only temporary, however, and the 
boundary was not finally settled imtil 1842, when the "Ash- 
burton Treaty" was drawn by Lord Ashburton and Sec- 
retary Daniel Webster. By the terms of this treaty, Maine 
released to the British authorities a large tract of land, said 
to have been of "but little value," in return for which the 
National Government received "land of more value" else- 
where, and paid the State of Maine $150,000 for the sur- 
render, and $200,000 for the expense incurred in "defending 
the integrity of American territory." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. II5 



CHAPTER II. 



SCRAPS OF EARLY TOWN HISTORY. 



AyT R. Fernald, in his "Historical Address," has given the 
-^'-*- history of the formation of the town so fully that 
anything more in relation to it would be but little more than 
repetition, therefore we will begin our relation of town 
history by telling of some of the doings of our forefathers 
immediately after the new town was incorporated, as set 
forth by the records. 

Powder House. — In the olden times when there was 
militia and trainings it seems that each town had to keep 
on hand a store of military stores, such as powder, flints, 
camp kettles, and balls, and powder houses, or magazines, 
had to be constructed in which to keep these stores, though 
it seems that they were sometimes deposited elsewhere, as 
I have before me as I write an ancient memorandum in 
which it is stated that powder, balls, flints, and kettles 
have been deposited in the meeting-house in Otisfield. One 
of the early needs of Harrison seemed to be a magazine, 
and on June lo, 1808, it was voted "to raise $45 to procure 
a magazine." It appears that the magazine was not "pro- 
cured," and on April 10, 1810, it was voted "to raise $125 
for a magazine and other town purposes." On November 
20, 1817, it was voted "to build a house to deposit the 
town's stock of powder in ; said house to be eight feet 
square and six feet high, with a hipt roof, to be built with 
hewed timbers six inches thick; to clapboard said house 
with split clapboards, to shingle the rough, and to paint 
said house with Spanish Brown." 



Il6 A HISTORY OF THE 

It seems that this powder house was duly built as voted, 
and that it "was set in Samuel Scribner's pasture," that 
being opposite to where W. H. Briggs now lives, and so 
far from the road that its top was barely visible. This 
house was standing within the remembrance of many of 
our inhabitants, but has since gone to decay. 

Pounds. — After the building of the first Town House 
in 1807, it seems that one of the most important things that 
the town had to grapple with was the care of stray cattle, 
and from some of the votes that we find recorded it ap- 
pears that all cattle were allowed to run at large at times, 
though the voters were inclined to make the owners restrain 
the swine and horses. 

In olden times every town had a "pound," that is, "an 
enclosure for confining cattle or other beasts when taken 
trespassing, or going at large in violation of law," and there 
was a "pound keeper" to care for the imprisoned animals, 
as well as "field drivers" and "hog reeves" to gather them 
in. These officers are unknown at the present time, and 
the pounds have gone out of existence, except as the old 
ruins are seen, like the remains of some small fortification. 

As early as 181 1, our voters began to legislate in regard 
to stray stock, and at the annual meeting of March nth, 
of that year it was voted "to build a pound 25 feet within 
board, of round logs locked together, and that it be 7 feet 
high." Tradition has it that the pound was built as di- 
rected, but it seems that it did not prove to be very sub- 
stantial, and on November 2, 1818, the town voted "to build 
a pound, and set it on Morrill Hobbs's land by his gate ad- 
joining the country road ; that it be of rock, 28 feet square 
within the walls ; the walls to be 3 ft., 6 in. thick at the 
bottom, and i ft., 6 in. at the top; to be 5 ft., 6 in. high, 
and to have a hewn timber 12 in. square on top of the wall. 
The door, 3 ft. wide to be built of plank framed into posts, 
one post to have an iron gudgeon set into a stone sill ; the 
other side post for the door to shut against to set in like 



TOWN OF HARRISON. II7 

manner." — Also voted that "said pound be built this 
month ;" and to "give Morrill Hobbs $50 if he build and 
complete it according to this vote." 

It appears that this pound was built according to con- 
tract, and that it proved so solid and substantial that its 
ruins are to be seen to this day, even to the remains of the 
12 in. timbers that were placed on the top of the walls. 

It seems that from time to time attempts were made to 
have the town vote to allow stock to run at large, and on 
March 19, 1821, it was voted that "horses and swine be 
not allowed to run at large." At the same meeting it was 
voted "to have Capt. Foster's hog yard for a pound at the 
south part of the town, and that Capt. Foster be pound 
keeper for the lower end of the town." April, 1823, it was 
voted "that horses and swine shall not run at large." 
March i, 1824, it was voted "not to prohibit neat cattle 
from going at large on the common and highway not under 
the care of a keeper." On April 3, 1825, it was voted that 
"Amos Thomes's barn and yard shall be a pound for the 
present year," and a similar vote was passed in 1827. 

Town Houses. — Mr. Fernald has told us that the first 
town house was built in 1808, at a cost of $100, but there 
is an error in the statement as to where it set. It seems 
that it set very near to the corner, and on the westerly side 
of the road, and it is said that the spot can be seen at the 
present time. It appears that the house was such as to 
satisfy the desires of the voters until 1825, when the matter 
of building a new one was brought up in the town meeting 
held on April i6th, and the records show the following 
votes : 

"Voted, To build a town house near the mouth of the 
road leading from Mr. Thomas Cummings's to Esq. Oliver 
Peirce's, on the east side of the country road leading by the 
said Peirce's house." 



Il8 A HISTORY OF THE 

"Voted, To build the house 15 rods, or near that distance, 
south of Oliver Peirce's dwelling house on the east side 
of the country road." 

"Voted, To accept the spot of ground of Oliver Peirce, 
Esq., at his proposals, which are as follows, viz. : The town 
to have the use of one-fourth of an acre so long as said 
town shall wish to occupy said spot for a town house to 
stand upon, they to relinquish his proportion of a tax to 
build and support the same." 

"Voted, To build the town house 28 feet wide, 36 feet 
long, and lo-foot posts." 

"Voted, To build the house, finish the outside, under- 
pin the same with split stone not hewn, lay the floor, and 
block up the cross sills; the said house to be finished ac- 
cordingly on the first day of November next. The com- 
mittee shall be authorized to make a plan of the town house 
and notify the Selectmen, and they shall call a meeting to 
vendue the house which is to be built, and also to vendue 
the old house." 

There seemed to be some strange delay, and no meeting 
was called until September 12th, and in the proceedings of 
that meeting we find the following votes : 

"Voted, To build a town house." 

"Voted, To vendue the building of the town house to 
the lowest bidder." 

"Voted, To reconsider the vote passed April last, by which 
the house was to be finished, November ist, and to build 
and finish the same on or before the first of September 
next." 

"Voted, To have the outside of said house finished, the 
floor laid, and the house underpinned agreeable to the vote 
of April i6th, last." 

"Voted, To finish the inside of the town house by raising 
the floor one third of the length of the house at each end, 
with as many rows of seats, well laid, as can conveniently 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 119 

be placed upon that part of the floor which is raised ; and 
ceil the inside of the walls with good merchantable boards 
to be halved together ; and build a convenient desk for 
writing and doing town business in, to be ten feet long and 
as wide as necessary for convenience, to be raised two steps ; 
to have five 24 square windows, two in front of the 
house, one on each end, and one on the back side; to have 
window shuts on the outside of good merchantable boards, 
to be hung with iron hinges ; that the timber for the town 
house shall be according to the dimensions which the com- 
mittee shall give to the undertaker." 

"The building of the town house was struck off to Jacob 
Emerson at $257." It was voted that "the house shall be 
built and finished in a workmanlike manner to the accept- 
ance of the committee chosen to inspect the same," Naph- 
thali Harmon, Benjamin Carsley, and Amos Thomes being 
the committee. The old house was sold to Simeon Caswell, 
for $15.25. It appears that the house was built and ac- 
cepted, was used for all town purposes, as well as for 
holding many town fairs, until 187 1, when it was torn down 
after the town had voted to build the present house at the 
Village. 

The Surplus Revenue. — Harrison's portion of the 
"Surplus Revenue" which was distributed by the United 
States to the several States in 1837, was a bone of con- 
tention for four years. It seems that a special meeting 
was held on March 30, 1837, to consider the subject, and 
decide what should be done with the town's proportion. It 
was voted that the town should receive its proportion of 
the said money, and Philip Eastman was chosen as the 
agent "to demand and receive the said money ;" and it was 
also voted "to let the money, and expend only the interest 
for the use of the town, and that the money be let in sums 
of not over $100, nor less than $25." George Peirce, Went- 
worth Stuart, and Philip Eastman were the committee to 
let the money, and the said committee was to appoint its 



I20 A HISTORY OF THE 

own treasurer and make a report of its doings at each 
annual meeting. It was voted, "That an article be inserted 
in the warrant for the next annual meeting for town busi- 
ness, to see what they will do with the interest arising from 
this money." A special census of the town was taken by 
the Selectmen which showed that there was a population 
of 1,135, ^'id this special census was used for the division 
of the surplus. 

It appears that there was a great desire on the part of 
some of the citizens to have that surplus revenue "for 
their own use and behoof forever," and on July 5, 1837, a 
special meeting was held, "To see if the money shall be 
divided equally among the inhabitants, and let each head 
of a family have his or her proportion by making security 
to the town." It was voted, "That the committee be re- 
leased from the vote not to let the money in sums of less 
than $25, and that the next installment be let in sums as 
small as $10 to any townsman giving good security." 

At the next annual meeting, held on March 5, 1838, when 
the article in relation to the interest came up it was voted 
to divide the same among the several school districts. 

On April 30th, of the same year, a special meeting was 
held to see if the surplus should be divided among the in- 
habitants of the town, and it was voted not to divide it. 

On October ist, of the same year, a special meeting was 
held at the request of Philip Caswell and others, "To see if 
the town will vote to divide the surplus among the inhabi- 
tants of the town per capita," and the records tell us that 
the town decided "not to divide the money per capita by 
a vote of 87 to 58," and that the meeting was adjourned 
to the second Monday in September, 1839, at five o'clock 
p. M., evidently with the intention of stopping the calling 
of further special meetings in relation to the matter. 

This move seems to have been effective, and nothing more 
is heard about the matter until the annual meeting in 1839, 
when it was voted, apparently without opposition, that the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 121 

interest should go for the support of common schools, but 
at the annual meeting in 1840, a fight was made against 
letting the interest go for the support of the schools, and 
it was voted, "That the interest be divided per capita, and 
be credited to each person to whom payable on his or her 
tax for the present j'ear, and those not taxed, or out of 
town, to receive their proportion out of the treasury." 

Those who were so desirous to possess this money "for 
their very own" were so elated at their success in their 
fight for the interest that the contest for the principal was 
renewed at the annual meeting in 1841, and it was voted, 
"To distribute the surplus revenue, so called, among the 
inhabitants of the town entitled to a proportion, and to 
those out of town entitled to a proportion, according to the 
census taken in 1837, by which the money was drawn into 
the town." 

"Voted, To choose a committee of three to collect and 
distribute the surplus revenue money, and that they be 
authorized to accomplish the same in such manner as they 
may deem proper, in as short a time as they can, not ex- 
ceeding one year from the first day of April next ; and 
Philip Eastman, Wentworth Stuart, and John Dawes were 
chosen as that committee." 

"\'oted. That the committee collect the interest on the 
surplus revenue money up to April ist next, and pay out 
principal and interest two dollars per head, and pay the 
balance into the treasury." 

The original surplus received by the town was $2,322. 

It may be interesting to know that in the September 
following the meeting at which the inhabitants voted to 
enrich themselves by paying out the surplus revenue per 
capita, there were demands against the town which could 
not be met, and at a special meeting called for the purpose 
it was voted to hire $300 to meet those demands. 

Caring for the Poor. — The records show that the olden 
methods of caring for the poor were entirely different from 



122 A HISTORY OF THE 

the humane ones that have been practiced for many years, 
and are very suggestive of a species of slavery. Below 
are given some of the votes found recorded on the old 
records : 

March i, 1819. "Voted, To put out two of George Ed- 
wards' children to some suitable place, or places, as the 
Selectmen think proper, and to provide a house for Edwards 
and family as soon as convenient." 

April 5, 1819. "Set up George Edwards and family at 
vendue to the lowest bidder. Oldest child bid off by Mor- 
rill Hobbs at 65 cents per week ; youngest by Morrill Hobbs, 
at 75 cents per week; Edwards and wife and one child bid 
off by Ahira Sampson at $1.70 per week." 

October 30, 18 19. "Voted, To pay Abraham Burnham 
$1.00 for support of Mrs. Brown's child till next March 
meeting, exclusive of cloath and doctor's bills." 

April I, 1820. "Voted, To put Mrs. Brown's child at 
James Watson's at four shillings and four pence per week, 
exclusive of doctor's bills. Mrs. Edwards was bid off by 
Enoch Whitney at 75 cents per week, he to have the use 
of her cow, bed, etc. ; Olive Edwards was struck off to 
David Potter Kneeland at 43 cents per week ; Mehitable 
Edwards was struck off to Hiram Willard at 9 cents per 
week. All of the above money to be paid quarterly." 

March 5, 1821. "Voted, To set up poor at vendue. Mrs. 
Edwards bid off by Philip Caswell at 58 cents per week; 
Olive Edwards, by Daniel Moody at 35 cents per week; 
Mehitable Edwards, by Capt. Kilborn at 18 cents per week; 
Sally Edwards, by Solomon Libby at 8 cents per week; 
Polly Brown and youngest child, by Joshua Howard at 
37 cents ; and Selectmen to dispose of Mrs. Brown's two 
oldest children at their discretion." 

September 10, 1821. "Set up Mr. Gates and wife to 
the lowest bidder. Bid off by John Brackett at $2.50 per 
week till next March Meeting." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I23 

March 22, 1824. "Mr. Gates and wife struck off to 
Phinehas Thompson at $1.90 per week, to be victualed and 
clothed until next annual meeting, and proper attendance. — 
Relief Brown struck off to Joseph Fogg at 20 cents per 
week, to be victualed and clothed, and proper attendance. — 
Jane Gooding struck off to James Watson at 34 cents per 
week, to be comfortably cared for, the doctor's bills to be 
paid by the town." 

April 4, 1825. "Voted, To vendue the poor in the usual 
way. * * * That it be left to the discretion of the Se- 
lectmen to bind out Relief Brown if they think it best. * * * 
That to be left to the discretion of the Selectmen to take 
care of Jane Goodwin, or to bind her out." 

Later on, in 1835, we find a case where one Samuel Wil- 
ley "agrees and promises comfortably to support, maintain, 
and provide for Abigail Hanscome and Patience Hanscome, 
daughters of Mr. George Hanscome, late of Harrison, de- 
ceased, he to provide all necessary meat, drink, lodging, 
and apparel, and to defray all necessary expenses for their 
support in sickness and in health during their natural lives," 
pledging himself, his "heirs, executors, or administrators 
to well and truly perform the conditions aforesaid," and 
mortgaging his farm to the town as security for the per- 
formance of the contract. 

Such votes as some that are recorded above sound very 
strangely when viewed in the light of present ideas in regard 
to the caring for the town's poor, and would hardly be 
sanctioned by our present voters. But our forefathers had 
different ideas, and were evidently influenced by the desire 
to conduct the business in such a way as to cost the town 
as little as possible. Although they virtually sold the ser- 
vices of those unfortunate people at auction the same as 
slaves were formerly sold, yet it was in accordance with 
the usages of the times and usages that have been in vogue 
to some extent even within the memory of the writer. Hap- 
pily all this was changed many years ago, and methods which 
are much more humane and creditable now prevail. 



124 A HISTORY OF THE 

A Comprehensive Oath of Office. — Benjamin Chad- 
bourne was the Constable of the Town of Harrison for the 
year 1819, and his oath of office was as follows: 

"Whereas you, Benjamin Chadbourne, are chosen Con- 
stable within the Town of Harrison for one year now fol- 
lowing, and until another be chosen in your place, do swear 
that you will carefully intend the preservation of the peace, 
the discovery and preventing all attempts against the same, 
that you will duly execute all warrants which shall be sent 
unto you from lawful authority, and faithfully attend all 
such directions in the laws and orders of courts as are, or 
shall be, committed to your care; that you will faithfully, 
and with what speed you can, collect and levy all such 
distresses, rates, assessments, and sums of money, for which 
you shall have sufficient warrants according to law, render- 
ing an account thereof, and paying the same according to 
the direction in your warrant; and with like faithfulness, 
speed and diligence, you will serve all writs, executions and 
distresses in private causes betwixt party and party, and 
make returns thereof duly in the same court where they 
are returnable; and in all things you shall deal faithfully 
whilst you shall be in office without any sinister respects 
of favor or displeasure. So help you God." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 125 



SAD EVENTS IN HARRISON. 



In the history of Harrison, but few events of a tragical 
nature have occurred to shock the sensibihties of the 
public. One of the saddest occurrences which have been 
recorded was of an accidental nature. It happened many 
years ago, and but few of our citizens remember it. The 
account herewith printed is copied from the Portland Cou- 
rier of May I, 1831. The young man whose untimely 
death is described was a brother of Mrs. Rachel (HaskelO 
Thomes, first wife of the late Marshall Thomes. He was 
a son of Daniel Haskell of Windham. 

"Drowned in Harrison, April 25th, Daniel M. Haskell, 
aged twenty-five. His death was most sudden and melan- 
choly and occurred under the following circumstances : He 
was engaged with another person upon one log in the 
mill-pond in endeavoring to raise another log from the 
bottom, when that on which they stood commenced roll- 
ing and precipitated them both into the water ; the other 
person swam to the shore, whilst he being unable to swim, 
and before assistance could be rendered sank to rise no 
more. Thus was his fair dawn of life, whilst his cloud- 
less sun was nearing its meridian, in a moment veiled in 
the shades of death. * * * in this death the world 
sustains a great loss, for with much intelligence and en- 
ergy of mind he combined the most spotless morals and 
goodness of heart. So kind and obliging was his dispo- 
sition that he won the hearts of all who knew him. Though 
he had many friends we believe he had not an enemy in 
the world. As the stars of heaven shine brighter at the 
close of day when the shades of evening gather over the 
earth, even so do his virtues beam with brighter lustre 
from the darkness of the silent tomb: and long shall it 
be ere there shall cease to be found in memory's waste, 
a green spot watered by the tears of affection for him who 
is gone." 



126 A HISTORY OF THE 

"Yet though his form now moulders into dust, 
His soul on viewless wings to heaven shall soar, 
To seek its home in mansions of the just. 
Where friends shall meet to part again no more; 
Where tears and grief and death itself shall cease. 
Where all is love and happiness and peace." 

Another event of a most afflictive character to the family 
of Joseph Gilkey, and which caused sincere grief to a 
wide circle of neighbors and friends, was the loss at sea 
of two of his sons, Charles and James B. Gilkey, who had 
been in California for a few years and were passengers 
on board a steamship from Central America to New York, 
which was lost in mid-ocean and all on board perished. 
These young men were about twenty-nine years of age, 
and were of most excellent character. A headstone in 
the cemetery of the old Free Baptist church records the 
simple story of their death, said to have occurred September 
12, 1857. 

On September 5, 1874, occurred a distressing accident, 
by which one of the brightest and best of the young men 
of our town was instantly killed. Clarence Skillings, a 
twin son of Ambrose and Maria Skillings of Bolster's 
Mills, while riding towards Norway Village along the shore 
of beautiful Pennessewassee Lake and having a loaded gun 
in the wagon, under the seat, seeing a duck or some other 
game animal near the road, he sprang from the carriage 
and seizing the gun near the muzzle, he quickly drew it 
towards him, with the barrel pointing towards his body. 
The crossbar of the seat caught the lock, by which the 
piece was discharged, and he was shot, the charge of shot 
piercing his heart, causing instant death. 

Clarence was twin brother to William, and they were at 
that time sixteen years and eleven months old. They were 
both excellent scholars, and much beloved by a large circle 
of schoolmates and friends. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 12/ 



CHAPTER III. 



PROPOSED NEW TOWNS. 



A S early as 1829, some of the inhabitants of the territory 
-^ ^ contained within the original Town of Harrison began 
to grow uneasy in regard to their situation; and some re- 
siding in the limits of other towns cast longing eyes upon 
a part of Harrison's territory as being needed to help in 
the making up of a new town. In the year above mentioned, 
the matter of forming a new town which would include 
considerable territory from the southerly part of Harrison 
as then constituted, began to be agitated, and the propo- 
sition was duly set forth in a petition to the Legislature 
signed by John Chute and others, inhabitants of Otisfield, 
Harrison, Raymond, Sebago and Bridgton, as follows : 

"Respectfully represents the petitioners, that, in the lo- 
cation of the several towns in which they reside, they are 
desirous of making such alterations as will, out of the several 
portions hereinafter particularly described, constitute a new 
town. To comprise the said town they represent that the 
public convenience will be fully answered by connecting the 
following tracts, namely: All that part of Otisfield lying 
southwest of Crooked River ; all that part of Raymond 
situated southwest of the same Crooked River, and said 
line continuing from the mouth of said river on Songo 
River to Sebago Pond, including the thousand acres, so 
called, which has never been incorporated into any town; 
eleven tiers of lots from the south part of Harrison next 
adjoining Otisfield, in their course from Crooked River to 
Long Pond in a straight line; five tiers of lots in Sebago, 



128 A HISTORY OF THE 

on Bridgton line to Peabody Pond; from thence on the 
west line of said tiers a straight course to Sebago Pond, 
taking the part next adjoining Otisfield and Raymond ; four 
tiers of lots in Bridgton, in the southeast part of the town, 
pursuing the north line of the fourth tier to number thirty, 
fourth range, of the second division, including said number 
thirty in the fourth range, and thence south to Sebago line, 
on said line of lots, and from thence on Bridgton line 
westerly to Sebago line above described/' 

The petition then goes on to show the many inconven- 
iences which the petitioners in each town then suffered, in 
part as follows : 

"The many inconveniences which your petitioners suffer 
in the present location of the several lines of the above 
mentioned towns, have induced them to this petition, some 
of which they will now set forth. That part of Otisfield 
which it is proposed thus to establish into a new town, is 
the greater part of it fifteen miles distant from the centre of 
said town, thereby occasioning to the inhabitants thereof in 
their attendance on the business of the said town, an un- 
reasonable and burthensome travel, and thereby rendering 
the exercise of their municipal and other franchises almost 
valueless, and to enjoy which they are now compelled to 
pass through the towns of Raymond or Harrison. The 
town of Harrison in the section above described is very 
narrow, not exceeding two miles in width, and with regard 
to the centre of business is most disadvantageously sit- 
113. ten ¥ ^c ^ ^ ^ 

"All your petitioners are now enjoying in a very limited 
and partial extent the advantages of religious worship, 
schools, and town meetings. Their taxes are necessarily 
expended in such manner as to afford them but little 
municipal advantage or permanent good. These evils, they 
verily believe, will in a great measure be remedied by the 
establishment of a new town, and in addition thereto many 
advantages will result therefrom. This connection will 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 1 29 

afford a suitable and convenient centre for the transaction 
of corporate business, and facilitate the enjoyment of their 
privileges of Schools and Houses of Worship. The pro- 
posed route of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal passes 
through the centre of the new town, and will, when com- 
pleted, aid the interests of your petitioners by affording 
them advantages which could not be attained in their present 
situation." 

This petition was signed by John Chute and 25 other 
citizens of Otisfield, 18 citizens of Sebago, 5 of Raymond, 
2 of Bridgton, and the following from Harrison : Curtis 
Jordan, Simon Lord, Stephen Wilkinson, Warren Gammon, 
William Gammon, Reuben Doughty, Moses Fogg, Benjamin 
Sanborn, Timothy Ayres, Henry S. Thompson, Levi Wil- 
lard, Samuel Lord, Samuel York, Joseph Pitts. 

As all who are familiar with the location will readily see, 
this proposed new town was Naples. Harrison was to 
lose quite a large piece of territory from the southern part, 
something which was not relished by much the greater part 
of the inhabitants, and on November 28, 1829, a special 
town meeting was held, "To see what instructions the Town 
would give its Representative respecting the petition now 
pending for the formation of a new town." At this meeting 
it was voted to remonstrate against the proposed town, but 
it appears that, for some reason the matter did not come 
before the next Legislature, as nothing further appears on 
the records until December 25, 1830, when another special 
meeting was held for the same purpose. Jacob Emerson 
was chosen Moderator, and the meeting was adjourned one 
week. At the adjourned meeting a remonstrance was 
adopted, of which the following is the most important por- 
tion: 

"The Town of Harrison was composed of parts of the 
towns of Otisfield and Bridgton, lying between Long Pond 
and Crooked River, and is much inferior to either of these 
towns, both in territory and value; yet the petitioners for 



130 A HISTORY OF THE 

a new town have prayed for a much larger portion from 
this town than from any other so compactly situated as 
this. Of the inhabitants living in that part of the town 
included in the proposed limits of the new town, many are 
utterly opposed to any alteration whatever, but wish to 
remain unmolested as they now are. 

"Much inconvenience must arise concerning a school 
district which will be divided almost in the centre by the 
division line of the new town. The quantity of territory 
praj^ed for amounts to nearly one-fourth of the territory and 
about one-fifth of the value of the whole town, but without 
an equal proportion of paupers or bridges with the re- 
mainder of the town to support ; and the taxes in Harrison 
are extremely onerous, yet they must unavoidably be in- 
creased if the town be dismembered, without producing 
the corresponding advantages to those taken from this 
town. 

"Under such circumstances, we cannot but view any at- 
tempt to divide the town with extreme anxiety and concern, 
and hope that after proper deliberation on the question so 
much of the prayer of the petitioners as relates to this 
town will be dismissed from further consideration of the 
Legislature. But after a patient and full investigation of 
the circumstances connected with the prayer of the peti- 
tioners aforesaid, it shall be adjudged just and proper that 
this town should contribute a part towards the formation 
of the new town, then we shall be under the necessity of 
consenting to a loss of six tiers of lots, so that the line 
dividing the town shall run from Crooked River in a 
westerly direction over Plaisted Hill, so called, to Long 
Pond. But if the prayer of the petitioners must be granted 
to the full extent, the remainder of the Town of Harrison 
will be so extremely small that it will be the wish of the 
major part of the inhabitants that the town be divided, and 
be annexed to the towns of Otisfield and Bridgton whence 
it was formerly taken." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I3I 

The movement for the new town was not successful till 
1834, when the Town of Naples was created by the Legis- 
lature, but Harrison secured the compromise asked for in 
the remonstrance, only six tiers of lots being taken from 
the southerly part of the town, and the line between the 
two towns passing over the top of the Plaisted Hill. 

In 1832, a movement was started to form another new 
town from parts of Bridgton and Harrison, which was 
regarded as a serious menace to Harrison, and evidently 
caused considerable excitement at the time. The petition, 
which was signed by Ira Crocker and 120 others, set forth 
the desires of the petitioners as follows : 

"The undersigned, legal voters of the towns of Bridgton 
and Harrison, respectfully represent that their interests and 
convenience will be promoted by the formation of a new 
town which shall include those portions of the said towns 
of Bridgton and Harrison hereinafter described, and of 
which a plan is herewith presented, viz. : Beginning at the 
northeasterly corner of Bridgton, and running thence 
westerly on the north line of the said town to the centre of 
the main stream running from Stearns Pond in Sweden, 
thence down the centre of the said stream, and down the 
centre of Crotched Pond, and the centre of the main stream 
running from Crotched Pond to Long Pond ; thence run- 
ning across Long Pond to the easterly side of it; thence 
running by the shore of the said Pond to the southerly line 
of Lot No. 30, in that part of Harrison which was formerly 
Bridgton ; thence following the southerly and easterly line 
of land which composed the farm of the late Grinfill Blake, 
Esq., to Anonymous Pond in Harrison, including the whole 
of the said farm ; thence across said Pond to the easterly 
line of the first range of lots in said Harrison ; thence on 
the said line to the southerly line of Waterford; thence 
on Waterford line to the bounds first mentioned. 

"And your petitioners would represent that in the forma- 
tion of a new town comprised within the limits aforesaid. 



132 A HISTORY OF THE 

it will contain two flourishing villages, the one in Bridgton, 
and the other in Harrison, not now more than one mile 
apart, at the head waters of Cumberland and Oxford Canal, 
whose local situation gives them a unity of interests, and 
constant intercourse in business. That these villages are 
now distant from the places of transacting public business 
in their respective towns ; that the centre of the contem- 
plated town contains a flourishing Academy; that there is 
now a militia company in that part of Bridgton included 
in our petition ; that it will be a compact town, a large ma- 
jority of the inhabitants of which have mutual interests 
and mutual views in regard to their municipal concerns. 

"And your petitioners would further represent that the 
Town of Bridgton contains a large extent of territory, as 
by the plan of said town will appear, being more than twelve 
miles in extent ; that by granting our petition but a small 
portion will be taken from said town, and that from its 
northeasterly extremity ; and that a large and respectable 
town will still remain ; that from so extensive a territory 
there must frequently happen a jarring of interests and 
consequent difference of views in regard to their internal 
concerns. 

"It will further be seen by the plan of the Town of Har- 
rison that your petitioners include but a very small portion 
of that town, which for reasons before mentioned will be 
very conveniently connected in the formation of a new town. 
That for several years past there has been a parish legally 
organized, consisting of individuals in each of said towns of 
Bridgton and Harrison having public worship regularly 
on the Sabbath at the village which will be the central part 
of the new town. 

"We therefore pray that a new town may be incorporated 
which shall include the premises before described, having 
all the rights and privileges in similar cases usually granted." 

It must be granted by all familiar with the situation that 
the above petition was most ingeniously worded, and was a 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I33 

strong presentation of the side of the petitioners ; but there 
were able. men in Harrison at that time who were not in- 
clined to stand idly by and see the best part of its territory 
taken to help form a new town. The town was deeply 
stirred, and a special town meeting was immediately held. 
John Dawes was the moderator, and the following resolu- 
tions were adopted: 

"Resolved, That in our opinion the formation of a new 
town agreeably to the request of the petition of Ira Crocker 
and others, would be very injurious to the interests of this 
town, and that we will remonstrate against said petition. 

"Resolved, That we instruct our Representative, Charles 
Washburn, Esq., and he is hereby instructed, to oppose the 
formation of a new town according to the petition of Ira 
Crocker and others, and that our Agent notify him of the 
same." 

"Oliver Peirce, Esq., was chosen Agent on the part of the 
Town of Harrison to appear before the Legislature at Au- 
gusta to show cause why the prayer of the aforesaid peti- 
tioners should not be granted." 

The following remonstrance was adopted by the meeting, 
and a copy furnished to the Agent to lay before the Legis- 
lature : 

"To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives 
of the State of Maine in Legislature assembled : — The 
undersigned, legal voters of the Town of Harrison, beg 
leave to remonstrate against the petition of Ira Crocker 
and others praying for the incorporation of a new town to 
include a part of the towns of Bridgton and Harrison, as 
far forth as the same, if granted, would affect the Town of 
Harrison, for the following reasons, viz. : 

"First. — The Town of Harrison, as your Honors will 
perceive by the plan herewith transmitted, is a small town 
when compared with the towns in general through the State, 
and our tax, including State, County, school, and taxes for 



134 A HISTORY OF THE 

other charges, are very high, as our Agent is prepared to 
show you ; and the piece petitioned for from this town 
contains a flourishing village which is gaining in wealth 
much faster than any other part of the town, and forms 
a considerable part of our valuation ; and is also the only 
place in town where there is a licensed retailer, or innholder. 
It is the principal place of business in town, being at the 
head of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, and it is the 
only place in town where there can be a village of any con- 
sequence for many years. 

"Second. — There are roads now laid, and others con- 
templated through other parts of the town, which will be 
quite expensive to make and keep in repair, and which will 
be much more for the convenience and benefit of said vil- 
lage than for any other part of the town of the same value. 

"We therefore request of your Honors to give us a hear- 
ing as above, and as in duty bound will ever pray." 

The above remonstrance is given in full, and is most cer- 
tainly a model of brevity, when contrasted with some similar 
papers found on the records. It possibly, even, omits some 
things which might have added to the strength of the argu- 
ment in favor of the town. But the case was in able hands, 
Mr. Peirce being an efficient and resourceful man, and our 
Representative, Mr. Washburn, a clever lawyer. They 
could be trusted to supply anything that might be needed to 
add to the strength of the case. The Legislature refused 
to grant the prayer of the petitioners, and the Town of 
Harrison remained as it stands today, with the exception 
of a few minor changes that have been made for the ac- 
commodation of certain individuals. 




Congregational Church 



i 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 135 



CHAPTER IV. 



CHURCHES IN HARRISON. 



MR. Fernald was able to make only a very brief refer- 
ence to the church organizations, several of which 
have had an existence from the earlier years of the town. 
It is but fitting that the history of such important factors 
in the welfare and growth of the town should be given as 
fully as it is possible to obtain it at the present time. 



Congregational Church. 

Rev. Cassander C. Sampson of Tilton, N. H., a native 
of Harrison, the youngest son of Thomas R. Sampson, and 
brother of Howard L. Sampson, has made the history of 
this church a special study, and has succeeded in collecting 
a large amount of valuable material, giving the record of 
the organization as fully as it can be given, and we cannot 
do better than to quote from him. 

On the Sunday previous to the Centennial Celebration, 
this society thought it would be proper to hold services 
fitting to the occasion, and Mr. Sampson was invited to 
deliver the sermon. It contains such a mass of historical 
matter of great value in such a work as this that we feel 
it is not necessary to offer any apology for reproducing 
the larger part of the sermon ; in fact we feel as if we 
should be derelict in our duty if we failed to put so valuable 
a document into as permanent a form as possible. 

The copy of this sermon was kindly furnished by the Rev. 
Mr. Sampson, and carefully revised by him. The editors 
of this History feel that their thanks are due to the author 



136 A HISTORY OF THE 

for furnishing so much vahiable matter in regard to the 
churches of our town, which must have cost him much 
valuable time to collect. 

Sermon of Rev. Cassander C. Sampson, 

Delivered in the Congregational Church, Harrison, Maine, 

on Sunday, July 30, 1905. 



Text : — "As a wise master-builder, I have laid the foun- 
dation, and another builder thereon." i Corinthians 3 : 
10. 

In reviewing the history of the Congregational Church 
in Harrison, I shall speak more at length of the founders 
of the church and their work. Before the organization 
of any church in Harrison, the town made some provision 
for the religious needs of its people. In 1809, it voted $30 
for the support of preaching, and similar votes were passed 
in 1815 and 1817. In 1812, it instructed the selectmen to 
build a pulpit in the town house. About this time it came 
into possession of a fund for preaching — it being its share 
of the proceeds from the sale of a lot of land reserved by 
the settlers of Otisfield for the use of the ministry; this it 
expended annually. One year it voted that Elder Ebenezer 
Bray should preach out the money then on hand, and the 
next year that Ebenezer Bray should preach out half the 
money and Valentine Little the other half. There is noth- 
ing to show that any Congregational minister preached in 
town during these years, (unless A^alentine Little was a 
Congregationalist), but we are told that a devoted Con- 
gregational layman "held meetings on the Sabbath, and read 
and expounded the word of God to the edification and in- 
struction of those who heard him." 

As the population and resources increased, the religious 
people of the town began to form their respective denomi- 
national centers. Within the space of a little over a year, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 137 

and almost in the same neighborhood, three churches were 
organized: the Congregational, February 15, 1826, at the 
house of Oliver Peirce, Esq., where Frank B. Ward now 
lives ; the Free Will Baptist, June 3, 1826, in the barn 
belonging to Shepherd Hawk, on the place where Mr. Mel- 
ville R. Wilbur now lives; and the Baptist, March 26, 1827, 
at the house of Samuel Scribner, on the place where Mr. 
Robert Purkis lived for many years. The Congregation- 
alists numbered 11, the Free Will Baptists, 17; and the Bap- 
tists, 12 ; making the combined number of the three churches, 
40. The Methodist churches were formed later, and the 
Christian church later still. 

Our church, the oldest in town by four months, was con- 
stituted at the above mentioned date and place, by a council 
called by its original members for that purpose, and at 
once elected James H. Chadbourne, deacon. Of Deacon 
Chadbourne it is said : "He was many years a justice of the 
peace, several years town clerk, and served in many other 
positions of trust. He was a man of candor, practical 
sense, executive ability and firmness ; a real gentleman of 
the old school, and was highly esteemed by his townspeople." 
The other ten members were Dorcas Chadbourne, Deacon 
Chadbourne's wife; Sukey Peirce, mother of our late 
brother. Hon. George Peirce, and wife of Oliver Peirce, 
Esq., who became a member later ; Roxana Stanley, whose 
husband, Edward Stanley, was afterward member and dea- 
con of the church ; Abigail Perley, grandmother of Deacon 
Sumner Perley and Mrs. Blake ; Hannah Whitmore ; 
Joanna Whitmore; Aaron and Hannah Kneeland, grand- 
parents of our townsmen, Mr. Frank Kneeland; Charles 
Walker, grandfather of the Charles Walker so favorably 
known as "old Deacon Walker," of the F. W. Baptist church, 
and great grandfather of Charles Lincoln Walker; and. the 
last on the list, Sally Caswell, who was the mother of our 
late brother, Newell N. Caswell, and whose husband. Mar- 
quis D. Caswell, — "Uncle Mark," — united with the church 
a few years later. 



138 A HISTORY OF THE 

As to how it fared with the Httle church the first six or 
seven years of its existence, we have scant information. 
They had no minister, but worshipped with other congre- 
gations of Christians, and seldom Hstened to a preacher of 
their own denomination. Some of them were despondent 
of the future, but as a body they were resokite, and their 
circumstances compelled them to me self-reliant. In spite 
of unfavorable conditions their numbers increased ; young 
people joined them, many of whom were children of the 
first members. In 1829, they united with the Baptists in 
erecting what was afterwards known as the old Baptist 
meeting-house, at the four corners this side of Summit Hill. 
A year or two later, after earnest prayer and mature de- 
liberation, they invited the neighboring ministers to come 
in and hold a four days meeting ; as a result of which sev- 
eral became Christians. There seems to have been a gen- 
eral revival of religion in town about this time, in which 
our church shared, and quite a number were added to it ; 
so that at the installation of its first pastor the eleven mem- 
bers with which it started had increased to nearly fifty. 

Seven years after their organization, they joined with a 
church in Otisfield in extending to Rev. James P. Richard- 
son an invitation to settle with them in the gospel ministry, 
two-thirds of his time to be spent in Otisfield and one-third 
in Harrison. He accepted the call, and was installed over 
the two churches, October 22, 1833. This arrangement was 
not maintained without some sacrifices, both on the part 
of the church in Otisfield, and of Mr. Richardson ; as the 
Otisfield church wanted him all of the time, and the yoking 
of the churches, of course, increased Mr. Richardson's 
labors. Mr. Richardson, however, loved pioneer work, for 
which his genuine piety, his large heart, and his practical 
wisdom admirably fitted him ; and he thoroughly identified 
himself with the interests of this church. It was during 
his ministry that our present house of worship was built. 
Though in connection with tlie Baptists they had recently 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I39 

built a church and the two denominations had occupied it 
in perfect harmony, "the good of the cause of Christ" seemed 
now to require their removal to the village. The village, 
of late, had attained to increased importance by the opening 
of the Oxford and Cumberland Canal, which gave it a 
waterway to the outside world, and made it a port for the 
surrounding towns. Some of the leading families of the 
place were Congregational. Years before this, even be- 
fore our church was organized, Grinfill Blake, Esq., — tra- 
ditionally known as "old Squire Blake," though he lived 
only to the age of forty-three — had set apart the land upon 
which this house stands for the purpose for which it is 
used. His three sons, Harrison, Grinfill and Francis, his 
daughter Zibiah, the wife of Charles Washburn, Harrison's 
first lawyer, and his daughter Eunice were then living here. 
Mr. and Mrs. Washburn were already members of the 
church, and the others became such not long afterward. 
Dr. Rodgers the physician, and his wife were members, Mr. 
and Mrs. George Peirce, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Robie 
were also here. The growing importance of the village 
and the Congregational families of the place were doubtless 
the considerations that led to the change of location. Those 
living in the interior of the town felt the inconvenience which 
it would bring to them, but they cheerfully acquiesced in 
the arrangement for the common good ; they constituted, 
however, an important part of the church, and for many 
years the annual church meeting and the church conferences 
continued to be held at the house of Oliver Peirce. No 
particulars in regard to the building of the meeting-house 
have come down to us, but it was dedicated December 29, 
1836. Its dedication formed the opening service of a Union 
Conference, which met here at that time. Mr. Richardson, 
who had labored hard for the erection of the house, preached 
the sermon. Soon after, at his own request, he was dis- 
missed from the pastorate of the church, that he might 
devote all his efforts to the work in Otisfield, where he re- 



140 A HISTORY OF THE 

mained pastor for many years. He was at once succeeded 
here by the Rev. Joseph Searle, who was installed over the 
churches at Harrison and North Bridgton. 

The church being now established in a meeting-house of 
its own, with all the stated means of grace, we may regard 
the founders' work as complete; had they built wisely? 

It would hardly be permitted at the present day that forty 
persons in the same rural community should simultaneously 
form themselves into three evangelical churches. * * * 
Wherever (in New Hampshire) the religious needs of a 
community are fairly met by the church, or churches, al- 
ready on the ground, the members of this organization are 
pledged to use their influence, each in his own denomination, 
against the formation of another church in that place. It 
is hoped, moreover, to enlarge the scope of the organization 
so as to effect a union of churches wherever too many exist. 
I understand that Maine has followed a similar plan for 
several years. This represents the spirit of today, but it 
was not the spirit of seventy-five years ago, and we cannot 
blame the men of that day for not acting in advance of 
their age. Those who organized those three churches were 
not narrow bigots; they were men and women who, ac- 
cording to the best light they had, were earnestly striving 
to promote the cause of true religion. Their thought is 
well e.xpressed by Mr. Richardson in his dedication sermon, 
in which he says: "Each denomination in this town has 
now its separate place of worship, where according to the 
dictates of their own conscience they may worship the God 
of their fathers. This is as it should be. Think not, my 
brethren, that this is calculated to produce alienation among 
those who ought to love as brethren — far otherwise — it 
is that which is calculated to produce the most beneficial 
effect." 

The work of the founders of this church is justified by 
its results. For more than thirty years it was the only church 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I4I 

in the village. While it has never been a strong church, its 
spiritual work has not been unimportant. In Mr. Searle's 
ministry, nearly forty were received to the church on con- 
fession of faith — largely as a result of a great revival in 
1839. Many of these became, in later years, pillars of 
strength. Mr. Searle had been settled as pastor of the 
churches at Harrison and North Bridgton, but after four 
years he was dismissed from the pastorate at North Bridg- 
ton ; continuing at Harrison till his death, which occurred 
a few months later. The next three pastors were installed 
over the Harrison church alone. This made it hard finan- 
cially, both for the people and the minister. Mr. Pearl was 
criticised for engaging in secular employments, but in his 
letter of resignation, which breathes a sweet Christian spirit, 
he claims that it was impossible to provide for his growing 
family without some outside employment; and Mr. Chute 
in resigning says: "I have been convinced that it will be 
better for me and for you that I give the place to some one 
who is so situated that he can live and labor here for the 
salary that you can comfortably raise." There were some 
additions during the pastorate of these two men, and evi- 
dently good seed-sowing ; for under Mr. Packard, who fol- 
lowed them, on one Sunday in June, 1852, seventeen young 
people joined the church on confession. Of these a .few re- 
mained here to greatly strengthen the church ; the larger 
part, however, went away to bless other churches and other 
communities. Mr. Packard was obliged to resign on account 
of his wife's health, and for a year the church was without 
a pastor ; then Mr. Dodd came. After being here a year, the 
church at North Bridgton united with this church in his 
support, and the same arrangement held under his successor, 
Mr. Palmer. They were both good preachers, and during 
Mr. Dodd's ministry several new members were added. 
After them Mr. Ellis for one year supplied here and at 
Naples ; then Mr. Sheldon supplied this church for a year. 
From 1863 to 1867, the church had preaching for only a 



142 A HISTORY OF THE 

few months in each year. For two successive winters, Mr. 
Clough, a student from Waterville, a Baptist, suppHed. 
After him Mr. Watson, who had formerly taught here and 
was now studying at Union Theological Seminary, supplied 
during a summer vacation ; and the following summer 
another Congregational student, Mr. Dickerson, supplied. 
The church seemed now to have reached its low water mark. 
Many of its strongest supporters had moved from town, 
and no one had come in to take their place. Yet the church 
had not lost its vitality ; the Sunday-school and the prayer 
meetings were maintained the year around, and souls were 
born anew. * * * * * 

In 1867, this church united with the Free Baptist Church, 
then worshipping at its house on Maple Ridge, in support 
of the Rev. George W. Howe, a Free Baptist minister, who 
preached at the two churches on alternate Sundays. This 
arrangement continued for a year, when our church again 
formed a union with the North Bridgton church, a union 
which has lasted to the present time. 

The church had now entered upon a new period in its 
history. Heretofore it had been the only church in the 
village ; now it shared the ground with the Free Baptists, 
and later joined with the Baptists, who maintained ser- 
vices for a few years. As compared with the time which 
immediately preceded, it was to be a period of renewed 
prosperity. For five years it had not had continuous preach- 
ing by ministers of the Congregational faith, and for twelve 
years there had been no additions, either by confession of 
faith or by letter. Since then the church has been con- 
stantly supplied with preaching, and there has been greater 
permanency in the pastorate. Previous to 1868, no min- 
ister stayed as long as five years; since then the length 
of pastorates has averaged seven years. During this pe- 
riod it has had five pastors — good men and true: Rev. 
Ernest G. Borchers, three years ; Rev. Nehemiah Lincoln, 
sixteen years ; Rev. Henry A. Freeman, four years ; Rev. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I43 

Arthur G. Fitz, nearly ten years ; and the present pastor, 
Rev. Fred E. Winn, who has been here since 1903 — and 
everybody hopes he will be here many years to come. The 
church building has been much improved and beautified. 
There have not been such extensive revivals of religion as 
marked the earlier years of the church's history ; yet quite 
a number have, by uniting with this church, declared their 
faith in Christ. The work of a church is not to be de- 
termined, however, by statistics. Its work in developing 
Christian character and giving tone to the community can- 
not be estimated. What would have been the effect on 
this community had there been no church here for those 
thirty years in which this church was alone in the field? 
What would be the effect of removing the churches now 
here? Like the little stream that flows through our vil- 
lage, and furnishes power for its industries, our church 
has never been of large dimensions. Sometimes it has run 
low, and sometimes has needed to be supplemented by other 
sources of power ; yet it has had an important part in 
promoting the welfare of the people. It has been a river 
of the water of life. 

W^e remember, however, that we are but one such life- 
giving stream. Could it have been done, the most fitting 
thing at this time would have been that a union service 
should be held, at which some one competent for the task 
should deliver an address on the religious history of the 
town, giving each church its due share of attention. It 
is a matter of congratulation that the churches of this vil- 
lage, without jealousy or unchristian rivalry, stand together 
in the work of their common Master. 

The only justification for going back into the past is 
that we may get a fresh start for the future ; that, inspired 
by the spirit of our ancestors, we may do a greater work 
than they. We do not need to go back to their ideas, but 
we do need to have their faith in God and their devotion 
to his cause. ***** We still have for our guid- 



144 A HISTORY OF THE 

ance and inspiration the divine life of Him who came not 
to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life 
a ransom for many. I recently heard this statement: "In 
giving his son, God declared that man must be saved at any 
cost." When the church shall fully enter into the spirit 
of divine sacrifice, and, in humble reliance upon God, shall 
say with God and Christ, "Man must be saved at any cost," 
it will gain victories such as it has never yet won. 

There seems to be need of adding but little to the histor- 
ical matter relating to the Congregational Church, (and, 
incidentally, to the other churches in the town), which the 
foregoing sermon contains, but a full list of the pastors of 
the church, and the time that each one preached, is ap- 
pended : 

James P. Richardson preached one-third of the time from 
Oct. 22, 1833, till July 18, 1837, he being at that time a 
resident of Otisfield, and preaching the remaining two- 
thirds of his time in that town. 

Joseph Searle was the first settled pastor, preaching from 
July 18, 1837, till his death on Dec. 3, 1841. 

Cyril Pearl, Jan. 10, 1843, to Sept. 22, 1846. 

Ariel P. Chute, Feb. 24, 1847, to Aug. 15, 1849. 

Charles Packard, Feb. 7, 1850, to Dec. 27, 1852. 

John Dodd, Jan. i, 1854, to Jan. i, 1858. 

Edward Hawes, Sept. i, 1858, to Oct. 5, 1858. 

Edward S. Palmer, Jan. i, 1859, to Jan. i, 1861. 

T. L. Ellis, May i, 1861, a few months. 

Ernest R. Borchers, Jan. 14, 1869, to Sept. 24, 1871. 

Nehemiah Lincoln, May 15, 1872, to Nov. 19, 1887. 

H. A. Freeman, April 5, 1888, to April 5, 1892. 

Arthur G. Fitz, Sept. 22, 1892, till his death, March 3, 
1902. 

Fred E. Winn, April 7, 1903, and is still the pastor. 

We have been fortunate in securing so much historical 
matter relating to this, the oldest church in town, and re- 
gret very much that the history of the other churches can- 




mil 

nig I 



,*yj&*i"'**^^' 




Baptist Church 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 145 

not be procured so fully. We give the details of their his- 
tory as fully as we could obtain them. 



Baptist Church. 

This church, (formerly known as the Calvin Baptist 
Church), was organized at the house of Samuel Scribner, 
on March 26, 1827, with the following members : 

Ebenezer Bisbee, Nathaniel Burnham, 

Eunice Bisbee, Edward Lowell, 

Louisa Bisbee, Martha Lowell, 

James Gray, Hannah Scribner, 

Anne Burnham, Sarah Scribner, 

Ellis Burnham, Sarah Willard. 

This society erected a church building at the four cor- 
ners near where Mrs. S. K. Wight now lives, in 1829, it 
being the first meeting-house built in Harrison. This house 
was originally built for the joint use of the Baptists and 
Congregationalists, and the latter named society held meet- 
ings there for one-third of the time until their house was 
erected at the village in 1836. 

In 1879, the society deemed it advisable to remove its 
headquarters to the village, and the old house was torn 
down, and a part of the timbers used in building a new 
meeting-house at that place. The house was destroyed 
by fire on May 14, 1907, having been unoccupied for many 
years. 

The following named persons have been pastors of this 
church : 

Ephraim Harland, David Jewell, 

John Haines, A. Snyder, 

Reuben Mills, Andrew Hopper, 

William P. Grant, John C. Andrews, 

Robert C. Starr, N. G. French, 

M. Lawrence, Frank Davis, 

Jacob Bray, William Beavens, 

Levi Burnham, George R. Hovey. 



146 A HISTORY OF THE 

The last six were pastors of the church after it wor- 
shipped in the new house at the village. 

The following named persons have been deacons in this 
church : 

Ebenezer Bisbee, William P. Harmon, 

Edward Lowell, David Jewell, 

Reuben Burnham, Philander Tolman, 

Alanson Cary, Samuel Abbott, 

Howard M. Thompson. 



Free Baptist Church. 
This church, known at that time as the Free Will Bap- 
tist Church, was organized at the barn of Shepherd Hawk, 
on the place where M. R. Wilbur now lives, on June 3, 
1826. Four ministers were present at the meeting for or- 
ganization, viz. : Jonathan Clay, Andrew Hobson, Z. Jor- 
dan, and Clement Phinney. 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 

Clement Phinney, Charles Walker, Jr., 

Sarah Phinney, Rebecca Newcomb, 

Samuel Lewis, Polly Gray, 

Abigail Lewis, Betsey Fernald, 

Phebe Lewis, Polly Wardwell, 

Seth Carsley, Sally Willard, 

Harriet Carsley, Eunice Dawes, 

Benjamin Rich, Betsey Springer, 
Nancy Sanborn. 

This church had no meeting-house for more than ten 
years after its organization, and services were held at school- 
houses, and at such other places as were available. The 
church records state that services were held at the "Harrison 
Meeting-house," which must have been the town house, 
as the old town records refer to this house in several places 
as a meeting-house. 




Free Baptist Church 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 147 

In 1836, the meeting-house now standing on Maple Ridge 
was erected by this society, and the dedication was on 
September 15th, of that year, a four days meeting being held 
at the time, at which the following ministers were present 
and took part : John Stevens, A. Rollins, Clement Phinney, 
A. Wheeler, and J. Moor. The society continued to wor- 
ship in this house till 1871, when it was deemed expedient 
to move to Harrison Village, on account of the greater 
part of the members living in that vicinity. The meetings 
were held for a time in the Congregational Church, and 
then in Gray's Hall, till the completion of the new meeting- 
house at the village. The Free Baptist Church at this 
place was built in 1871-2, and was dedicated in February, 
1872. Nearly four hundred different persons have been 
identified with this church since its formation. The old 
house on Maple Ridge has been unoccupied since the church 
removed to the village, except as occasional services have 
been held by some of the resident preachers. 

PASTORS. 

Clement Phinney, J. C. Osgood, 

Joseph Phinney, Stephen Hutchinson, 

E. G. Eaton, James Libby, 

George W. Whitney, David Libby, 

C. M. Swett, E. H. Hart, 

Orin Bartlett, E. C. Cook, 

George W. Howe, W. P. Curtis, 

L. W. Raymond, J. F. Harriman, 

John L. Smith, E. Z. Whitman, 
Sidney Wakely. 



Methodist Church at Bolster's Mills. 

This church was organized in 1841, with the following 
members : 



148 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Stephen Waterhouse, 
Lydia Waterhouse, 
Jonathan Stiles, 
Jeremiah Stiles, 
Mary Stiles, 
Sally Stiles, 
Phebe Knight, 
Johnson Knight, 
Elizabeth Knight, 
Merrill Knight, 
Rebecca Knight, 
William Brackett, 
Sally Brackett, 
Susan Brackett, 
Abram Green, 
Joseph Green, 
Lydia Green, 
Dennis Lovewell, 
Alvin Rice, 
James Hanson, 
Thomas Jackson, 
Nancy Turner, 



Beulah Britton, 
Hannah Fogg, 
Jonathan Wardwell, 
Samuel Wardwell, 
Betsey Wardwell, 
Benjamin Stevens, 
Sarah Stevens, 
Ruth Cobb, 
Bathsheba Chute, 
Laurana Fisk, 
Eleazer Sawyer, 
Hiram Richardson, 
Dolly Richardson, 
Dorcas Walker, 
Abram Lombard, 
Elizabeth Dunham, 
Jemima Stone, 
Hannah Shedd, 
Catherine Hanson, 
Dorcas Hall, 
William Twombly, 
Alice Twombly. 



PASTORS. 



Alpheus B. Lovewell, 
William A. Stuart, 
John Batchelder, 
Thomas J. True, 
W. N. Richardson, 
Levi Eldridge, 
Gershom F. Cobb, 
F. C. Ayer, 
C. Mugford, 
E. Gerry, 
M. R. Hopkins, 
Benjamin Foster, 



Joseph Milliken, 
F. J. Soule, 
J. W. True, 
E. K. Colby, 
Asa Green, 
S. Ranks, 
J. Downing, 
L. B. Knight, 
John Gibson, 
S. B. Brackett, 
Leonard B. Green, 
Sylvester D. Brown, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 1 49 

Delano Perry, Cyrus Purington, 

Alva Hatch, W. B. Eldridge, 

Nathan D. Senter, Lewis, 

Joseph H. Snow, B. F. Fickett, 

Charles W. Abbott, D. A. Tattle, 

John Robinson, Thomas Whiteside. 

The Methodist meeting-house at Bolster's Mills, was 
erected in 1841, and has within a short time been thorough- 
ly repaired, re-modelled, and modernized. Services are 
held regularly each Sabbath, this society joining with the 
South Harrison society in the maintenance of a preacher. 
It is the only religious society in that part of the town, and 
includes parts of Harrison and Otisfield. Though small, 
it contains several earnest workers. 



South Harbison Methodist Church. 

This society is older than the one at Bolster's Mills, 
having been organized in the early years of the town's 
history, but, unfortunately, little is positively known in 
regard to its history, as the records were totally destroyed 
when the church was burned in 1883, and the living members 
have but few private records that can be referred to. It 
is known that the lot for the church was bought of Major 
Jacob Emerson, who was a leader in the society, and for 
many years a zealous member of the church. The meeting- 
house was erected in 1836, and stood a little distance to the 
westward of the present edifice. For many years there 
was quite a flourishing society, and among the members 
were R'laj. Jacob Emerson, Col. Amos Thomes, Stevens 
Ingalls, Moses Fogg, Jonathan Lakin, Henry L. Buck, Ezra 
T. Ingalls, Benjamin Strout, Capt. Benj. Foster, Benjamin 
Foster, Jr., Amos P. Foster, Artemus Woodsum, and many 
of the members of their families. Deaths and removals. 



150 A HISTORY OF THE 

and the inroads of other societies, weakened this church 
organization very much, and the climax of its troubles came 
in October, 1883, when the meeting-house was destroyed 
by fire, together with all of the contents, including the 
records and library, the fire evidently being the work of 
an incendiary. 

The feeble society, left without a home, and apparently 
unable to build another, struggled along as best it could 
for nearly twenty years, part of the time joining with the 
Christian Church in union services at the house of the latter 
society, and part of the time holding services in the school- 
house, which the town allowed them to occupy. At length, 
some of the leaders made a determined effort towards 
the erection of a new house, and by the aid of many out- 
siders, and the M. E. Conference, the present edifice was 
completed so that it was dedicated on October 2, 1902, 
Rev. Roscoe L. Greene, the son of a former pastor of the 
church, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The house is 
small, but it makes a very comfortable home for the little 
society, which, though small, succeeds by earnest effort 
in maintaining regular church services. 



South Harrison Christian Church. 

This was the last religious society to be organized in 
Harrison and was brought into existence largely through 
the efforts of Rev. G. T. Ridlon, who for many years 
labored in Harrison, preaching regularly for some time at 
the Old Calvin Baptist meeting-house, and having, if we 
mistake not, a regularly organized society there for a time, 
known as the First Christian Church of Harrison. His 
preaching at South Harrison caused a lively religious re- 
vival, and created such an interest that it was thought best 



TOWN OF HARRISOTST. 151 

to create a new church organization, quite a large number 
having signified a desire to enter into such a society. On 
May 5, 1870, the Second Christian Church of Harrison was 
organized, having the following 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 

John Johnson, Ellen W. Wetzler, 

Lovisa Johnson, Moses W. Page, 

Charles W. Foster, Georgia M. Page, 

Abbie L. Foster, Benson M. Davis, 

Daniel Thompson, Nancy Emerson, 

Eunice A. Thompson, George W. Lewis, 

Eliphalet W. Davis, Frances D. Lewis, 

Marietta Davis, Henry W. Lewis, 

David Fogg, Ella A. Harmon, 

Maria Fogg, Jennie S. Lewis, 

Peter W. Jordan, Ezekiel Lakin, 

Addie Adams, Elizabeth E. Lakin, 

Clark Lewis, Josiah Lakin, 

Almedia Lakin, Cyrus K. Foster, 

Thomas P. Lakin, Mary E. Foster, 

Elizabeth Harmon, Annie M. Lakin, 

Edmund P. Carsley, Clara E. Lewis. 

The next move was to erect a church edifice, which was 
shortly done. It was quite an undertaking for the small 
society, but the members took hold in earnest under the 
inspiring leadership of Mr. Ridlon, and pushed the work 
with all possible dispatch, the house being completed so that 
it was dedicated on January 3, 1872. The building is now 
standing, opposite the residence of Daniel Thompson, and 
has been unoccupied for several years. Mr. Ridlon con- 
tinued to preach for the society for a time after the erection 
of the house, and was followed by James M. Hodgdon, 
and Zebulon Knights, as regular pastors. But the interest 
began to subside, and members died and moved away, to 
such an extent that the church organization became inert 
after a time. It was once re-organized in accordance with 



152 A HISTORY OF THE 

the provisions of law, but the material was not sufficient 
to maintain a live society, and there has been no attempt 
to hold a church meeting for several years. 

Of the six meeting-houses now standing in town, four 
are occupied regularly each Sabbath, there being three 
regular pastors, one of whom is a resident of North Bridg- 
ton, the Congregational societies of the two villages 
joining in maintaining religious services, the same as they ' 
have done much of the time since the early days of the 
town. Two meeting-houses have been unoccupied for 
many years, and a third empty church edifice was burned at 
the village in the great fire of last year, and the lot has 
been sold to the Public Library Association. 

The religious societies whose histories are sketched above 
are all of the organizations that have ever become per- 
manent in Harrison, or that have attained sufficient per- 
manence to be able to maintain religious services for a 
series of years; but there has been much preaching from 
other denominations, and at times there has been quite an 
interest in some of them. At one time there was a regular 
Universalist organization at Bolster's Mills, with Rev. John 
Dore as a settled pastor, and regular services were held 
for some time at that place, and Mr. Dore also preached 
many times in different parts of the town. A leader in the 
Bolster's Mills society was James M. Edwards, who was 
a prominent citizen of the place at the time. Later in life 
he became a zealous Spiritualist. A lady preacher of this 
denomination held occasional services at Bolster's Mills, 
and attracted considerable attention. 

Second Adventists have preached in all parts of Har- 
rison at various times in its history, and there have been 
many firm believers in the doctrines of this denomination, 
including some who were formerly members of other 
churches, but they never became numerous enough to at- 
tempt to form a church. The popularity of preaching 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 1 53 

different from that of the old time preachers came as a 
protest against the doctrines that they preached, and here, 
as elsewhere, it has been effective in modifying the pulpit 
utterances. The more liberal doctrines of the present day 
have largely done away with the preachers of other than 
those of the regular denominations, and at present there is 
preaching by the pastors of the Congregational, Baptist, and 
Methodist Churches, and very seldom by any one else. It 
can hardly be said with truthfulness that a majority of 
our people are church-goers, but all that do attend do so 
at one of the three churches named above, and this is be- 
cause it is generally believed that our preachers are en- 
deavoring to make men better, and are not devoting their 
entire energies to the building up of some special doctrine, 
and the tearing down of rival churches. 



154 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER V. 



EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 



' I "" HE early settlers of this country seemed to have con- 
-^ stantly in mind the fact that the cause of education 
and religion should be in some way provided for. Some 
of the ways in which this was done may seem strange to 
us, and the sums that were available for the support of the 
common schools may appear entirely insufficient for the 
maintenance of even one school, but we should remember 
that our forefathers had but very little which they could 
give, and that the best education of those early days was 
very primitive when compared with that which every in- 
telligent child is obliged to acquire at the present time. 
Considering the situation and the means at their command, 
perhaps we should wonder that so much was done as is 
shown by all reliable histories. 

We are informed that; "In granting townships for settle- 
ment, either as bounty lands to soldiers, or otherwise, in 
early times, the General Court of Massachusetts held the 
grantors to conform in all things to the laws relating to 
education and schools." These were the first things for 
consideration when a new settlement was to be made, and 
all grants were made with the express condition that one 
share of the township so granted should be set off for 
schools. In the year 1700, the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts passed an "Act Respecting Schools," and Section 
I of that Act is as follows: "It being one chief project of 
Satan to keep man from the knowledge of the Scriptures, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 155 

as in former times keeping them in unknown tongues, 
* * * to the end that learning may not be buried in 
the graves of our forefathers, in the church and common- 
wealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors; It is therefore 
ordered by this Court and authority thereof that every 
township within this jurisdiction, after the Lord has in- 
creased them to the number of fifty householders, shall 
then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all 
such children as shall resort to him, to write and read; 
the instruction to be paid for by the parents, or by the in- 
habitants in general, as a major part of those who order 
the prudential concerns of the town shall appoint. The 
teacher shall be Orthodox, and no minister of any town 
shall be deemed, or held, to be accepted as Schoolmaster 
of that town. No person shall presume to set up, or keep, 
a school for teaching children in reading, writing, or other 
sciences, but such as are of sober and good conversation, 
and have the allowance of the Selectmen. When the town 
has one hundred householders, or more, there shall be kept 
a grammar school, whose teacher shall have the approbation 
of the Minister of the town." 

As we are informed that this law, without material al- 
teration, was in force for a long term of years, it is prob- 
able that it was on the statute books when the townships 
of Bridgton and Otisfield (from which Harrison was made 
up) were first granted to settlers, and that a part of each 
township was reserved for the use of schools. Our town 
records show that there was a sum of money due from 
Bridgton to Harrison for the support of schools after the 
latter town was incorporated, and that this money was the 
subject of frequent conferences before a final decision was 
reached. At the annual meeting in 1808, Nathaniel Burn- 
ham was chosen as "an agent or trustee for said town, to 
receive said town's proportion of the principal of school 
money now at use in Bridgton, and to put said money at 
use in such manner that the town of Harrison may have the 



156 A HISTORY OF THE 

income of said money once a year annually." In 181 1, 
Nathaniel Burnham, Samuel Willard, and Samuel Scribner, 
were chosen as "a Committee to take care of the public 
money due from Bridgton." Other votes are recorded 
that probably relate to this matter, but the records fail to 
show when the business was settled, or how much money 
was received. 

It appears that when Harrison became a separate town 
no action had been taken in Otisfield in regard to disposing 
of the land reserved in the original grant for the support 
of schools, and in 1810, the following petition was sent to 
the General Court of Massachusetts : 

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled: 

The petition of the subscribers, committees chosen by 
the towns of Otisfield and Harrison respectively, humbly 
shows that in the original grant of the township of Otis- 
field, in the County of Cumberland, that there was reserved 
in said township, three 64th parts to be disposed of as 
follows, to wit. : one 64th part to be given to the first 
settled minister in said town of Otisfield, one 64th part 
to the use of the ministry in the said town of Otisfield, and 
one 64th part to the use of the schools in the said town; 
that since the incorporation of the said town of Otisfield, 
a part thereof has been taken off and incorporated into a 
separate town by the name of Harrison ; that the 64th 
parts aforesaid granted to the use of the ministry and the 
schools are now lying within the said towns of Otisfield 
and Harrison, and so situated as to be of little or no value 
for the purpose for which they were granted, — 

Wherefore your petitioners pray that an act may be passed 
authorizing said towns to sell and dispose of the lands 
aforesaid given to the use of the ministry and schools in 
such manner that a permanent fund may be established 
for the benefit of said towns from said lands granted for 
the use of the ministry and the schools aforesaid : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 157 

And that David Ray, Zebulon Knight, Enoch Spurr, 
Robert Anderson, and Daniel Holden, all of Otisfield; and 
Naphtali Harmon, Samuel Scribner, Samuel Willard, 
Benjamin Foster, and Nathaniel Burnham, all of said 
Harrison, may be constituted trustees to sell said lands, 
and generally to manage and govern said fund in such 
manner that the interest arising annually therefrom may 
be applied to the use of the ministry and the schools in 
said towns of Otisfield and Harrison. 
And as in duty bound will ever pray. 
Dated at Otisfield, 22 Z\Iay, 1810. 

Naphtali Harmon, 
Samuel Willard, 
Nathaniel Burnham, 

Committee of Harrison, 

Thomas Weston, 
Robert Anderson, 
Daniel Holden, 

Committee of Otisfield. 

It appears that the General Court took favorable action 
on this petition, and granted the prayer of the petitioners, 
although the town records are silent concerning the matter. 
At a special meeting held on April 3, 181 5, it was voted 
to accept the report of the trustees of the ministerial and 
school fund, but the report was not spread on the records 
by the Clerk. In 1817, the town voted "to lay out the 
money arisen from the school fund for schooling the pres- 
ent year." The first definite information given by the 
records in regard to this fund is in the record of the an- 
nual meeting for 1831, when the trustees of the ministerial 
and school fund reported in detail a fund of $1,035.44, said 
fund being in the hands of twelve individuals in sums 
varying from $18.60 to $203.25, and all secured by good 
notes. In 1843, appears another report showing the same 



158 A HISTORY OF THE 

sum at interest, secured by fourteen different notes. Nearly, 
if not quite, the same amount is now contained in the fund, 
which is invested in bank stock, and the part which is set 
aside for the use of the schools yields an annual income 
of $42. Of course this is a small sum at the present time 
when compared with the total sum expended for schools, 
but in the early days it was large enough to be a godsend 
to the cause of education. 

At the first town meeting held in town after incorpo- 
ration, the Selectmen were chosen as School Committee, 
and at the special meeting held on September 30, 1805, the 
sum of $50 was raised for the support of schools. It was 
voted, "That every school district shall build their own 
schoolhouse," the school districts alluded to evidently being 
the ones that existed within the boundaries of the present 
town before it was set off from Bridgton and Otisfield, 
as none had been created by vote of the town. On April 7, 
1806, the town voted $75 for the support of schools, and 
to accept the school districts as they were divided by the 
Selectmen. This division as recorded divided the town into 
six districts, and no further change was made until 1812, 
when it was voted, "To set off William Gammon, John 
Gammon, Levi Gilson and Peter Gilson, from their former 
school districts into a district by themselves, together with 
their families and property." In 1814, two new districts 
were created, one containing "Samuel Willard, Benjamin 
Chadbourne, Leander Harmon, Ebenezer H. Scribner, Ben- 
jamin Willard, Joel Simmons, Joshua Howard. Naphtali 
Harmon, John Woodsum, and Joel Whitmore, with their 
families and estates," and the other "Wentworth Stuart, 
John Skillings, Isaac Hall, Allison Libby, Lemuel Fogg, 
Jolin Fogg, and Richard Fogg, with their families and es- 
tates." No further change was made until 1818, when 
Simeon Caswell, Philip Caswell, Benjamin Rich, Daniel 
Jumper, Edward Lowell, and Josiah Whitney were "set 
off into a new district." In 18 19, another new district was 



TOWN OF HARRISOX. 159 

created, two were united in one, and several families 
changed from one district to another, and from that time 
constant changes in the limits of the school districts were 
the "order of the day." There were comparatively few 
annual meetings at which some changes were not made, 
and it was not unusual for special meetings to be called 
for this purpose. There was no stability whatever, and 
the resident of one district today might live in another one 
tomorrow. Any town meeting, where an article in the 
warrant would permit, might wipe districts out of existence, 
create new ones, or change the limits of existing ones in 
any way that a majority might chance to vote, and the 
doings of one meeting might be reconsidered and wholly 
set aside by another one held as soon as legal notice could 
be given. Among many singular votes in regard to school 
districts appears this: In 1850, the town was asked to set 
off certain persons at "Barrow's Mills," into a new district 
and the following vote is recorded on the matter : "Voted, 
that the District at Barrow's Mills receive the money in 
their limits the same as last year, and that William P. 
Bucknell goes ivhere he has a mind to." 

As stated above, it was voted at a special town meeting 
held during the first year of Harrison's existence as a town, 
"That every school district shall build their own school- 
house," and in 1811, a similar vote was passed; and it 
may be well to say for the benefit of those who are too 
young to be familiar with ancient laws and customs that 
each school district was obliged to build its own school- 
house ever after as long as the "district system" was in 
existence, receiving no assistance whatever from the town. 
In 1812, it was voted that, "A part, or all, of the inhabi- 
tants of the town shall build a chimney in the town house, 
and improve the same for a schoolhouse," and this vote 
was substantially repeated at another meeting held in May 
of the same year. Whether "all, or a part, of the inhab- 
itants of Harrison" acted in accordance with this vote. 



l6o A HISTORY OF THE 

the records saith not, but it is presumed that they did, as 
the town voted in 1819, "not to have a school in the town 
house any more." 

The sum of $50 was raised for schools in 1805, and this 
was increased to $75 in each of the two following years. 
In 1808, the town seemed to have a spasm of economy and 
refused to raise anything, but this was partially atoned for 
on the following year by an appropriation of $100. This 
was such a generous sum that it proved to be sufficient 
for two years. After this date the amount was gradually 
increased until it was $300 in 1820. The total amount 
raised in the sixteen years ending with 1820, was $1,750, 
or an average of less than $110 per year. In 1815, it 
seems that the interest on the school fund was first available, 
and this probably increased the available amount by the 
addition of some $40 per year. From 1821 to 1850, the 
appropriation by the town was gradually increased until 
it had reached $500, and the average amount for the thirty 
years was a little over $400. 

During the first sixteen years it appears that there were 
from six to twelve school districts, or an average of nine, 
and, if the money had been equally divided, each would 
have had a little over $12 per annum, and a little over $16 
after the school fund was available. During the next thirty 
years there was an average of twelve districts, thus giving 
to each an average of about $36.50 annually. As the money 
was not divided equally among the districts, but according 
to the number of scholars in each, some of them received 
considerably less than the sums named, while others had a 
larger sum. It is almost inconceivable that schools could 
have been maintained for such sums for a length of time 
sufficient to have been of much benefit, since the schools 
of the present time cost about $10 per week, not reckoning 
the cost of books and repairs. But schools were maintained 
in every district for at least one term per year, and scholars 
who were bound to learn as much as possible obtained a 



TOWN OF HARRISON. l6l 

very creditable education, and one which in many cases 
formed the basis of learning that has enabled them to fill 
positions of honor and trust in this and other States. 

It must be remembered that the schools of those early 
days were carried on in a much different manner than those 
of the present, and that the amount that was paid in taxes 
for the support of schools was only a small part of what 
our forefathers really contributed to the cause of edu- 
cation. Each family boarded the teacher free for a por- 
tion of each term, and the wood was another free offering. 
The boys had to prepare all of the fuel, and take their 
turns at building the fires. Nothing was paid for janitors' 
services in those days, and all of the cleaning that was done 
was free. The schoolhouses were built by the residents 
of each district without help from the town, and all repairs 
were made in the same way. Books, and everything else 
that was used in the school-room, were furnished by the 
parents. In addition to all this, it was not an unheard-of 
thing for the schools to be lengthened by means of money 
paid by private subscription. While there were many in 
those days who did not realize the actual value of educa- 
tion, there were others — and their numbers were not few 
— who made many sacrifices for the cause, and whose 
noble efforts, put forth under the most adverse circum- 
stances, were worthy of sincere praise. 

The schools of the past were much different from those 
of the present, and were very primitive, even within the 
recollection of middle-aged people. The writer has a most 
vivid remembrance of some of the schools which he at- 
tended in his early boyhood, when teachers "boarded 
round," and wood was furnished free, — or at a ridicu- 
lously low price, — and was in some cases of such poor 
quality that the pupils came very near to freezing in the 
attempt to burn it. He well remembers how sheer neces- 
sity, in one case, compelled various raids on a certain "stump 
fence" belonging to the man who furnished the wood, and 



1 62 A HISTORY OF THE 

of how the fence was riddled and ruined, but a good fire 
was the result. The school-room where this occurred would 
hardly be used for a hog-pen, by a progressive farmer at 
the present time, and the attempt to warm it in zero weather, 
even with the best wood furnished by stump fences, was 
usually very near to a "dismal failure." 

Each family was obliged to furnish its scholars with all 
the books that they had, and all other necessities of the 
school-room, and the supply was meager indeed in com- 
parison with that of the present. The "Four R's" was 
about all that was taught, and that in the most antiquated 
manner. There was little uniformity of school books, and 
many a book found its way into the school-rooms that 
never had the sanction of the School Committee. Most 
of the scholars plodded along in the same way, getting 
a smattering of education, just sufficient to enable them 
to cipher some, read a little, and to have a very indefinite 
knowledge of the world about them and what had happened 
therein. But occasionally there would be some who would 
surmount all obstacles, and make progress that was wonder- 
ful under the circumstances. Really, the progress made 
in education in those days was marvelous. It seems almost 
impossible that schools were maintained to the extent that 
they were, and that the scholars of those days made the 
advancement that they did. 

As far as the records show, the Selectmen had charge 
of the schools until 1822, when the first Superintending 
School Committee was elected, consisting of Grinfill Blake, 
Charles Walker, and Joel Whitmore. In the same year, 
school agents were first chosen, the following persons hav- 
ing the honor to be the first ones to serve in that capacity : 
Thomas Cummings, Gushing Dawes, Samuel Scribner, 
Robert Lamb. Seth Carsley, Jr., Benjamin Foster, Naphtali 
Harmon, Moses Allen, Benjamin Carsley. 

The town continued to elect the agents at the annual 
meetings until 1850, after which date they were chosen 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 1 63 

by the school districts in "district meetings." Each dis- 
trict was to a certain extent a small republic, and the meet- 
ings, which were held annually, were town meetings on 
a small scale. These meetings were called by posted war- 
rants, specifying the business to be transacted, the articles 
being usually something after this form : 

1st. — To choose a Moderator to preside over said meet- 
ing. 

2nd — To choose a Clerk for the ensuing year. 

3rd — To choose an Agent for the ensuing year. 

4th — To determine when the School shall begin. 

5th — To determine whether the School shall be taught 
by a Master or a Mistress. 

6th — To determine the manner in which the Teacher 
shall be boarded. 

7th — To determine the manner in which the wood shall 
be furnished. 

8th — To transact any other business which may legally 
come before the said meeting. 

The Agent was the most important officer, and was em- 
powered to transact all of the business of the district, in- 
cluding the hiring of the teachers, and arranging for the 
schools, excepting that it was the duty of the School Com- 
mittee to examine and certificate the teachers, and have 
a general oversight of the schools. No teacher was allowed 
to take charge of a school who was not duly certificated, 
and the Committee could dismiss teachers for incompetency, 
or expel scholars who were unruly. Some one of the 
members was supposed to visit each school twice in each 
term, the same as the Superintendent does now, but the 
reports show that they failed to do so in very many cases. 

Wood was usually furnished by the lowest bidder, and 
in the early days it was delivered in sled lengths, and the 
boys had to work it up, unless the citizens were patriotic 



164 A HISTORY OF THE 

enough to furnish it "free gratis." Later, cordwood lengths 
was the accepted form, and still later it was prepared for 
the stove and put under cover, as at present. 

The boarding of the teacher was one of the curious 
features of the old times, the board being set up at auction, 
and "knocked down" to the lowest bidder. The moderator 
was the auctioneer, and no one was prohibited from bidding 
on account of "race, color, or previous condition of ser- 
vitude," nor did it make any difference whether the bidder 
resided in palace or hovel. The teacher had no choice 
usually but to board with the family who put in the lowest 
bid, and the results in some cases can be "better imagined 
than described." This was the first advance from the 
system of "boarding round," already spoken of. Board 
by the lowest bidder was the prevailing system for many 
years, but at last the people began to regard it as a "relic 
of barbarism," and it was gradually abandoned, the agents 
arranging for board in good places, or the teacher allowed 
to procure a boarding place wherever she saw fit. 

Some, in particular, of the old time schools would seem 
very strange in these modem times. The physical strength 
of the teacher was a qualification that was fully as im- 
portant in many cases as the literary qualifications. Many 
of the schools in winter were composed to quite an extent 
of lusty boys in their teens, many being "man-grown," and 
it was deemed very important that the master should be able 
to handle them in good shape. 

One of the old time teachers was our late respected towns- 
man, Joshua Howard, and he was a very successful one, 
too. His method of punishment in a school taught by him 
at Harrison Village well illustrates the manner of govern- 
ment in schools in those days. The seats and desks in 
the old schoolhouse were made of substantial planks, and 
were of the form almost invariably used in those times, 
the front ones being quite low. Early in the school, one 
of the largest boys transgressed to such an extent that he 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 165 

was promptly called into the floor by Mr. Howard, who 
had in his hand a good, heavy ruler, or "ferule," such as 
scholars in those days were quite familiar with. The boy 
obeyed the call, expecting to be punished in the usual way 
of blows on the hand, and perhaps thinking that he should 
resist if it hurt him too bad. What was his surprise to be 
told that he might get down on the floor and crawl under 
the front seat. He proceeded to do so, probably thinking 
that it was rather a funny performance, and he was of the 
opinion that it was a little too funny when Mr. Howard 
proceeded to apply the big oak ruler to the part of his 
person that was the most prominent when he started on 
his way under the seat. The ruler was applied in dead 
earnest, the teacher being a big, strong man. The pupil 
hustled with all of his might, but he was so low down, 
and was held so securely in place by the low plank seat, 
that he could not make a very speedy passage, and when he 
got through he doubtless found himself in a condition so 
that he seated himself very carefully. Many of the large 
boys found it necessary to make the passage under that 
seat during the winter, and it is very safe to say that they 
did not often linger on the way. 

The District System was probably the best that could 
be devised in those early days, and had many good features, 
chief among which seemed to be the fact that it was thor- 
oughly democratic, and got as close to the people as pos- 
sible. To very many it seemed to the very last to be ex- 
actly the right thing for the people to hold their little 
school meetings at which the officers of the district were 
chosen, and arrangements made for the schools which were 
to be for the sole benefit of the community that was doing 
the business. Each district seemed to be a small republic, 
and the principle exemplified seemed to be the one upon 
which our system of government was constructed. But 
the system was found to have its faults also, and these 
appeared to be worse and worse as the people became more 



l66 A HISTORY OF THE 

liberal and progressive in educational matters, and became 
able to look beyond the foundation principle, (which was 
right), to some others which seemed to them to be wrong 
and unjust. 

The available school money in the town was apportioned 
to the several districts in proportion to the number of 
scholars in each, and the result was that some districts 
had money sufficient for two or three long terms of school, 
while others had only enough for one short one. Of course 
this made the school privileges very unequal, and was in 
direct opposition to the republican principle of equal rights 
to all. This inequality became so very manifest that a law 
was passed giving the school boards the right to use a cer- 
tain percentage of the school money to increase the length 
of the schools in the small districts, and in 1875, this amount 
was increased to twenty per cent of the whole amount. 
Still the injustice and inequality continued to a greater 
extent than seemed right. The larger schools were much 
the longer, and hardly two schools in town were of the 
same length. Statistics of 1875 show that one district had 
thirty weeks of school, while another had but nine, and no 
two schools were of the same length. Years following 
showed some improvement over these figures, owing to 
the working of the law already spoken of, but the report 
of 1884, showed a variation in length of from sixteen weeks 
in one district to twenty-seven in another, and in 1885, 
the variation was from fourteen to twenty-eight, or one 
school of twice the length of another, with varying lengths 
in the others. 

Another evil of the system was the difficulty of securing 
suitable schoolhouses. The districts were obliged to build 
their own houses, and the cost of building a good house 
was so large a burden for the taxpayers of a small com- 
munity that it was not an easy matter to persuade them 
to assume it. The result was that the scholars were forced 
to attend school in houses entirely unfit for the purpose. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 167 

Various changes were made in the limits of the districts, 
as has already been stated, this being the only remedy that 
seemed to suggest itself to the minds of our most progres- 
sive educators. In 1868, the Superintending School Com- 
mittee, consisting of Silas Bullard, S. Loton Weston, and 
David Frost, made a determined effort to reduce the number 
of the districts, and to so change the limits as to reduce in 
some measure the existing evils. They made a very careful 
study of the situation, and presented their conclusions in a 
report that was laid before the voters at the annual town 
meeting. After stating the conclusions at which they had 
arrived, and recommending such changes as to them seemed 
right and just, the report of the committee concludes with 
the following ringing remarks : 

"In the above arrangement we have endeavored to ac- 
commodate all parts of the town as far as possible, and we 
feel that the eight districts as here proposed would be much 
better in many respects than the fifteen into which the town 
is now divided. True, some families would be further from 
school than they now are, but what they lose in that respect 
will be more than made up by having larger and longer 
schools. That some change is necessary must be evident 
to all. The interest of the town demands it ; the interests 
of the parents and the welfare of the scholars demand it; 
the miserable old huts now used as schoolhouses in some 
districts and the small schools of not more than six or eight 
scholars demand it ; public policy and the general interests 
of society demand it." 

The report was not adopted, and changes in the following 
years were only made when the decreasing number of 
scholars made it impossible to maintain a school in certain 
districts, and the town was consequently obliged by sheer 
force of circumstances to consolidate those districts with 
others. Schoolhouses became such disgraceful affairs that 
in some of the districts a progressive people could not con- 
sent that their scholars should be forced to attend school 
in them, and a part of the miserable hovels were replaced 



1 68 A HISTORY OF THE 

by modern houses, although at the cost of a very burden- 
some tax upon the districts which built them. Others re- 
mained which were a standing disgrace to any civilized 
community. 

The evils of the District System became more and more 
apparent to the progressive educators of our State, and 
finally it was proposed to apply a drastic remedy by abolish- 
ing the "District System," and adopting the "Town System" 
in its place. This proposed change did away with school 
districts entirely, and placed the management of the schools 
in the hands of the towns. Those who proposed this radical 
change were well aware that the people were not ready 
for it to be adopted throughout the State, but many of the 
larger cities and towns were ready to adopt it as soon as 
the law would allow them to do so. In 1875, the Legisla- 
ture passed a law giving to all towns the right to make 
this change. The State Superintendent, the Maine Peda- 
gogic Society, and other prominent and progressive edu- 
cational men, believing that the proposed change would 
bring about a great reform in our schools, pushed the matter 
to the best of their ability. Quite a number of the towns 
adopted the new system at once, and each year increased 
the number, the matter being vigorously pressed by those 
who were behind it, and who thoroughly believed in the 
advantages to be derived from it. Its workings were eager- 
ly watched by those who were interested in making some 
kind of a change in our school system. It appeared to be 
giving good satisfaction wherever adopted, and to be doing 
about all that had been claimed for it. 

Libera! and progressive men in our town, who were inter- 
ested in the welfare of the scholars, became satisfied that 
the system would benefit our schools as much as it had those 
of other towns, and in 1885, on petition of Alphonso Moul- 
ton and others, an article was inserted in the warrant for 
the annual meeting, "To see if the Town will vote to abolish 
the District System of managing our common schools, and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 169 

adopt the Town System in its stead." The Superintending 
School Committee, — • Alphonso Moulton, Horatio H. Cole, 
and S. Loton Weston — strongly advocated the change, the 
conclusion of their annual report being as follows : 

"This proposition will without doubt be a startling one 
to many of our voters, who will at first thought regard it 
as an infringement upon their rights which they will not 
submit to. We have given the matter our candid and ear- 
nest consideration, having investigated the workings of the 
new system as far as possible, and are most decidedly of 
the opinion that the proposed change will do more to benefit 
our common schools than any other measure that can be 
adopted. Our best educated men throughout the State are 
in favor of the measure, and it has been adopted in a large 
number of towns, varying from the largest city to a town 
with only a few hundred inhabitants. Wherever adopted 
it has given the best of satisfaction, and has invariably 
accomplished the reforms which its advocates claimed for 
it. So far as we can learn, the old District System has 
not been re-adopted in a single instance after the Town 
System has been tried. It is not our purpose to argue the 
question here for we have not the necessar}' space at our 
disposal, and without doubt all necessary arguments on 
both sides will be made when the question is brought up, 
and we have done what we could to enlighten the people on 
the subject by distributing what documents we have been 
able to obtain, and only regret that we had so few. We do 
not advocate the measure because we think it will give us, 
or our successors, more power, but because we honestly be- 
lieve that it will be of great advantage to our educational 
interests. We are well aware that wonders have been ac- 
complished under the old District System, but this is an 
age of progress, and many things are constantly being 
proved to be superior to those which had before been re- 
garded as almost perfect. We ask our fellow citizens to 
give this matter their candid consideration, and not con- 
demn it unheard simply because it is a new thing, or be- 
cause they may regard the old system as good enough. Give 
its advocates a fair hearing, and then decide the question 
as you may think for the best." 



I/O A HISTORY OF THE 

A Long and Interesting Contest. 

The friends of the movement did not expect that it would 
be adopted at the coming town meeting, but thought that 
it would be a good plan to "set the ball to rolling"" towards 
the reform which they had made up their minds to press 
each year until a majority vote was secured in its favor. 
Those opposed to the measure thought that it was a cranky 
movement which stood no chance of adoption, but when 
they discovered the unexpected strength which was devel- 
oped in favor of the measure, they were really alarmed 
because they thought that they were to be robbed of rights 
and privileges which they deemed of vital importance, and 
they fought the measure with desperation, and with a per- 
sistence which was only equalled by that with which it was 
pressed forward by its friends. The contest which was 
inaugurated at the annual meeting of 1885, was one of the 
most interesting and exciting that has ever occurred in this 
municipality, and it was by all means the longest, extending 
as it did through a series of five annual meetings, and two 
special ones, and covering a period of eight years. Most 
certainly this book would be incomplete without a brief 
history of this contest, in which about every voter in town 
took such a lively interest. 

There was a good turnout at the Annual Meeting of 1885, 
and matters did not look very auspicious for the adoption of 
the Town System when the chairman of the Superintending 
School Committee, who had been a zealous advocate of the 
change, was defeated by a young lawyer who was opposed 
to it. It was a set-back to the cause, but did not dishearten 
its advocates in the least, because it was expected, and when 
the school question came up the matter was explained by the 
outgoing chairman of the School Board, and he stated as 
best he could the arguments in favor of the adoption of the 
new system, showing that it would equalize the schools in 
all parts of the town, tend to give us better schoolhouses. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I7I 

and make the cost of running the schools less than under 
the old system. Several speeches were made in opposition, 
the leading speaker being Hon. Obadiah G. Cook. After 
quite a discussion pro and con, the opponents of the Town 
System attempted to force a vote at once, and even at- 
tempted to "yell down" one of the speakers on the affirm- 
ative side. The speaker stood his ground and had his 
say, and as soon as he was seated, Hon. C. A. Chaplin, 
who had taken no part in the debate, sprung to his feet, 
stung to the quick by what he regarded as an insult and 
an outrage on the part of the district people, and in an 
able and impassioned speech protested against the "out- 
rage," and presented the "Town System" side in such a 
way that no effective answer could be made against it. 
No effort could stem the tide which his speech had set 
in motion, and, to the surprise of all, the vote showed a 
majority in favor of abolishing the District System, and 
adopting the Town System in its place. 

This result precipitated the long drawn-out contest of 
which I have spoken. A special town meeting was called 
at the earliest possible date, for the purpose of reconsidering 
the action of the town at the annual meeting. There was 
then a great hustling on the part of the friends of the old 
system, and many and various were the argtnuents that 
were put forth in its favor. Many of our voters were 
genuinely alarmed and thought that their cherished rights 
were being taken from them, and that this was the first 
step towards consolidating the schools to such an extent 
that only two or three would be left, to which the people 
would be forced to convey all of their scholars, and some 
even went so far as to state that finally there would be left 
but one, situated at Harrison Village. The right to manage 
their own affairs was to be taken away from the people 
by doing away with the school district meetings, and wrongs 
too numerous to specify were to result from the change. 



172 a history of the 

"There was Mounting in Hot Haste," 

and couriers rode forth to sound the note of alarm to their 
comrades, hke Paul Revere before the Battle of Lexington, 
and right well did they do their work. Though it was 
shown that the people were to be robbed of no rights ; that 
schools were not to be consolidated any further than was 
necessary in order to have them of fair size ; that school- 
houses could be built without the resulting increase in tax- 
ation being an intolerable burden upon the people ; that the 
people were to manage the schools the same as before, the 
business being simply transferred to the town meetings, 
it was no use, for the people were alarmed, and the tide 
had set so strongly that nothing could be said to stop it. 
The town voted at the special meeting to reconsider the vote 
at the annual meeting, and again was the District System 
in force as before, and the cherished rights of the people 
were safe for the time. The majority was not a large one, 
but the friends of the Town System were content to let the 
matter rest for that year, though they announced their de- 
termination to place the matter before the people at every 
annual meeting until it was adopted. 

In 1886, another trial was made, but the voters were not 
ready to make the change. In accordance with their dec- 
laration the friends of the proposed change kept up the 
fight, and in 1887. the matter was again brought up, and this 
time their efforts were crowned with victory, the Town 
System was adopted, and all necessary votes passed to carry 
it into full effect. This time the victory was followed by 
no special meeting, for a law passed by the Legislature of 
1885, had effectually barred such proceedings by providing 
that all towns adopting the Town System must retain it 
for three years before attempting to make any further 
change. The district people accepted their defeat with as 
good grace as possible, but it is safe to say that they made 
no efforts to make the Town System a success, and that 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 173 

they looked eagerly forward to the end of the three years 
of probation. 

The new system was put into effect, and none of the dire 
predictions of its opponents came to pass, while the ad- 
vantages derived from it were apparent to all who were 
not blinded by prejudice. All schools in town were of an 
equal length, the scholars in the smallest school having just 
as many weeks tuition as those in the largest one ; and a 
somewhat unexpected feature was the fact that there was 
Httle decrease in the length of any of the schools, thus prov- 
ing that they could be run more economically than under 
the old system. The teachers were now hired by the Super- 
intending School Committee, a measure which had long been 
advocated by educators, as it seemed right that they should 
be employed by the ones who alone were empowered to pass 
upon their qualifications. In short, not a single bad feature 
was developed, and the friends of the system were much 
pleased with its workings. 

But the most important act in the drama during the three 
years of probation was the building of the Bolster's Mills 
schoolhouse. The house at that place had long been a 
standing disgrace to the town, and especially to an enter- 
prising village. Many attempts had been made by the old 
school district to build a new one, but it was such a large 
undertaking for a small community that the people were 
frightened by the taxes which loomed up before them, and 
had voted it down every time. Under the new system 
the town could be asked to build it, the schoolhouses being 
town buildings the same as the town house, or the buildings 
on the town farm. The greater portion of the voters who 
were directly affected had been opposed to the Town Sys- 
tem, and now feared that they would not receive any very 
cordial support from its friends, but their needs were so 
urgent that the matter was broached in the spring of 1889, 
and was first brought before the town at a special meeting 
held on March i8th. The friends of the Town System 



174 A HISTORY OF THE 

quite generally supported the measure, while its opponents 
as generally opposed it, except in the case of those who were 
to receive a direct benefit from the new house. The school 
district people regarded it as an endorsement of the new 
system, and this they were resolved not to give under any 
circumstances. There were a few exceptions to this gen- 
eral rule. 

The measure was defeated at the first meeting by a small 
majority, but a consultation was immediately held by those 
advocating the new house, and it was decided that there 
was such urgent need of immediate action as to warrant 
the calling of a second special meeting, and before the voters 
left the house, an application, duly signed, was placed in 
the hands of the Selectmen, and a second special meeting 
was called, to be held on March 26th. It was thought that 
the matter of cost could be explained in such a manner as 
to win votes for the measure, and that more voters could 
be induced to be present, and the result at the second meet- 
ing proved the truth of these predictions. The proposition 
to build was amended so that the house would not cost over 
$650 and the old house, and in this form it was carried. 
The Bolster's Mills district had formerly been united with 
one in Otisfield, the old house being on the Harrison side 
of the river, and Otisfield, desiring that this union should 
continue, asked that the house should be made larger than 
was originally intended, and that they might be allowed to 
contribute the extra amount that the enlargement upon the 
original plans might cost. This request was granted by 
Harrison at a third special meeting, without opposition. 
The new schoolhouse was built, the tax was paid without 
distressing any one, and there were very few in town who 
were not at heart pleased at the result. 

But the district people were just as determined as ever, 
and only waited for the expiration of the allotted three 
years before making a most determined effort to re-establish 
their much beloved old system. They kept up the fight 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I75 

right along, keeping their forces at "white heat" as far as 
possible, keeping alive the old prejudice by belittling the 
new system in every possible way. If it was pointed out 
that none of the terrible things that had been predicted had 
come to pass, the answer would be that the Town System 
folks were just waiting until the scheme was firmly estab- 
lished, and, "then you will see." 

The three years of probation ended in 1890, and the dis- 
trict forces were promptly in the field with an article in the 
warrant to see if the town would vote to change back to 
the old system once more. The contest resulted in the re- 
tention of the Town System, and the district people retired 
from the field, disheartened to such an extent that the next 
annual meeting was suffered to pass without any attempt 
to disturb the existing system. The friends of the Town 
System now fondly hoped that there was to be no further 
disturbance and uncertainty, but they underrated the per- 
severance of their opponents. In 1892, the regulation 
article was again in the warrant, and such had been the work 
put in by the district forces that they elected their candidate 
for Supervisor of Schools by a fair majority, and the Town 
System went down to defeat, the District System being 
again re-established. 

But the end was not yet. The district people, fearing 
that the article was not quite broad enough to enable them 
to pass the votes necessary to transfer the school property 
from the town to the districts, halted in their work for 
consultation. The other side was quick to seize upon the 
chance to stop the work when it was but half done, and 
helped to their utmost to convince their wavering oppo- 
nents that they could legally go no further, and very soon 
it was decided to call a special meeting to complete the work. 
The district people were the ones that called it, but the 
other side made good use of it by having an article inserted 
in the warrant, "To see if the Town will vote to abolish the 
District System of managing our common schools, and adopt 



176 A HISTORY OF THE 

the Town System in its place," and this was the last article, 
the first ones being those which were to enable the district 
men to complete the work which they were scared out of 
at the annual meeting. And then was work begun by both 
sides, which was kept up without ceasing until the day of 
trial arrived. The Town System forces claimed that they 
had been caught napping at the annual meeting, and that 
their men would be all there at the special meeting. 

Such a gathering is seldom seen in a Harrison town 
meeting as that which filled the Town Hall when Town 
Clerk Sampson called the meeting to order on March 19th. 
It was very evident that very few besides the women and 
children had been left at home. The warrant was read, 
and Charles E. Stuart was elected Moderator. He was 
a district man, but the other side had full confidence in his 
integrity and impartiality, and no votes were cast against 
him. A motion was made to pass over all intervening ar- 
ticles for the time, and to proceed at once to the considera- 
tion of the last one. As the vote on this article was really 
to decide the whole matter, there was no opposition to the 
motion. The article was taken up, and then began one 
of the most exciting battles at the polls, which ever took 
place in Harrison. 

A motion was made that the town abolish the District 
System of managing the common schools and adopt the 
Town System in its place, and thus was the vital question 
brought squarely before the house. Both sides were fully 
trained, and not a word was said either for or against the 
proposition, but there was sharp "skirmishing for position." 
A motion was made that the vote be taken by "polling the 
house," it being made from the district side. The other 
side did not care to trust their case to the decision of a 
"rush" vote, but wanted every man to have a chance to 
speak for himself without let or hindrance ; therefore they 
called for the check list — demanding it as a right. The 
district forces fought this with all of their power, but the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 177 

Moderator decided that he should be obliged to grant the 
request, and all acquiesced in his decision. 

The latest revised check list was produced, a teller from 
each side was placed in the desk to make an official record 
of the result as the Clerk called the roll. All were seated, 
and unusual quiet for such a place prevailed. The roll- 
call began, and more than a dozen volunteer tellers through- 
out the audience were keeping unofficial record of the yeas 
and nays. The sides were quite evenly divided at the first, 
but soon the district forces began to gain, and slowly but 
surely that gain kept up as the alphabetical call proceeded. 
Further and -further ahead did that side go until it was 
sixteen in the lead when the Clerk had reached T, and the 
district forces saw almost sure victory ahead. Their jubi- 
lance could not be repressed, and the other side was some- 
what depressed, though not wholly devoid of hope. They 
knew that the remainder of the roll-call would help them 
somewhat, but had but little hope that it would place them 
in the lead. T and U helped them slightly. There was a 
long list of names in W, and when the Clerk reached this 
letter there was a "hush of expectancy" throughout the 
crowd of voters, and the few spectators who were present. 
The call began, and one after another came the response, 
"yes," "yes," with an occasional "no" to break the monotony. 
The tide had changed, and steadily did the Town System 
gain until the sides were abreast. It goes ahead; it is 
gaining as the call progresses toward the end ; and those 
who were so nearly beaten see sure victory perched upon 
their standard. When the end is reached, the only question 
is in regard to the size of the majority, for all know which 
side has won. The tellers announce the result, and it shows 
that considerably over three hundred votes have been cast, 
and the Town System is again adopted by a majority of 
eight votes. The contest was ended, and during its progress 
both sides had had occasion to laugh, but the Town System 
people had the good fortune to laugh last. 



1/8 A HISTORY OF THE 

There was no exulting over a fallen foe. Nearly all 
felt that the time had come to call a truce, and put a stop 
to all further uncertainties in regard to the management of 
the schools ; that it was now the duty for all friends of 
education to work for the success of that system which had 
been in force for six years, and which had now been en- 
dorsed by a clear majority in one of the heaviest votes ever 
thrown in the town. The new Superintendent of Schools 
was opposed to the prevailing system of management, and 
he had been elected largely upon that issue, but he was a 
patriotic and honorable citizen, and a true friend to educa- 
tion. He threw no obstacles in the way of the Town Sys- 
tem, but did his best to make the schools of the utmost 
possible benefit to the scholars. 

The contest was over — not only for that year, but for 
all time. It had been fought throughout with the utmost 
determination on both sides. One side was fully convinced 
that the change would bring about many desired reforms, 
while the other was equally sure that the opposite would 
be the result, and that the people would be robbed of sacred 
rights. But the end had come. A few might have been 
ready to renew the contest when the next time limit ex- 
pired, but the State put a stop to all such nonsense. The 
Legislature of 1893 passed a law abolishing all school dis- 
tricts throughout the State, and there has been no further 
change. This legislation had no effect on this town, as the 
work which it called for had been done years in advance 
of the law. Harrison had the proud satisfaction of march- 
ing in the front of the procession, and escaped the degre- 
dation of being dragged along unwillingly in the rear. 

The Town System has now been in full force for sixteen 
years, without possibility of change. Its friends have had 
the chance to propose any radical changes in the way of 
consolidation which they might have had in view. But 
none have come. There are now nine schools in town, five 
of which are outside of the two villages. There were seven 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 179 

rural schools when the change was first made, the town 
having been obliged to discontinue two from sheer force 
of circumstances. Probably there is not a person in the 
town who will claim that more schools can be profitably 
maintained. All schools, whether large or small, are of 
equal length. There are none of the miserable huts which 
were once miscalled schoolhouses to the disgrace of the 
town, but all are modern houses which are warm and com- 
fortable, and are kept in good repair. The system of man- 
agement is working to perfection, and there are very few 
in town who really desire any change. 

But little more remains to be said in regard to our common 
schools. Matters have run very smoothly since the close 
of the great controversy over the Town System. There 
has at times been some contention as to the proper amount 
which should be appropriated for the use of the schools, 
but it has been slight, and has always been amicably settled 
on the spot. The voters of the town have become very 
liberal-minded in regard to their duties toward the rising 
generation. In the place of the pittances which used to 
be doled out in the early days, we are annually appropriat- 
ing nearly $2,000 for the use of our common schools. The 
State adds about $650, and the School Fund yields an an- 
nual income of $42. This combined sum seems something 
immense when compared with the cost of our schools in 
the olden times, but there is but very little disposition to 
find fault with the way in which it is used. The cause of 
education is near to the hearts of our voters, and they are 
inclined to give it a liberal support, and seem to be becoming 
more so as the years go by. It is understood to be good 
policy to employ the best teachers obtainable, and that such 
cannot be obtained at the prices formerly paid, as salaries 
are gradually advancing on account of the increased de- 
mand. The more "liberal-minded" have long striven for 
thirty weeks of schooling in a year, and it looks at present 
as if this is assured. 



i8o 



A HISTORY OF THE 



High School Tuition. 

In most of the schools it was thought best to limit the 
course to elementary English, and finally all excepting Eng- 
lish was excluded from all of the common schools. Some 
in town thought that it would be wise to take advantage 
of the High School Law, and give those students who de- 
sired it, the benefit of a High School course. Under this 
law the State paid one-half of the whole expense of the High 
School, provided that it was not above $500. The people 
in the town were none too friendly to the movement, but 
in 1873, the friends of the High School succeeded in getting 
an appropriation of $250 for the purpose of running one, 
or more, as the Superintending School Committee should 
decide. 

The members of the Committee were well aware at the 
start that they would have to manage matters very shrewdly 
in order to have High School tuition continued, as people 
generally would expect equal privileges without regard to 
location. It was determined to establish a school in each 
of the two villages, and to divide the town into two "High 
School Districts," and this was carried into effect. Teachers 
that were regarded as being well qualified were employed, 
and a ten weeks' term was taught in each school, the e.xper- 
iment being quite successful. The Superintending School 
Committee said of the schools in their report : "We believe 
that these schools were a success, and hope to see them re- 
peated as long as there are children in town who need a 
better and more liberal education than can be obtained in 
our short and distantly separated terms of common schools." 

Although there was a sharp opposition on account of 
alleged "unequal school privileges," the town again voted 
in favor of the High School in 1874, and made the neces- 
sary appropriation. The next move on the part of those 
opposed to the school was to present to the Superintending 
School Committee a petition for the establishment of a third 
school at South Harrison. This was not deemed advisable 



TOWN OF HARRISON. l8l 

Oil account of unsuitable school-room, and the added cost of 
maintaining another school. The schools were again es- 
tablished at the two villages, and a ten weeks' term taught 
in each. Sixty-six students attended at Harrison Village, 
and sixty at Bolster's Mills. The School Committee again 
warmly commended the schools, speaking of them as "the 
people's colleges, furnishing admirable facilities for the 
acquiring of a thorough education." 

The failure of the School Committee to establish the third 
school at South Harrison was "worked for all it was worth" 
by the opponents of the schools, the petition having been 
sent for the purpose of defeating further appropriations. 
It was represented that the schools were run solely for the 
benefit of the two villages, while those in the rural commu- 
nities, who were receiving no benefits, were helping to pay 
the bills, and the refusal of the school at South Harrison 
was pointed to as conclusive proof of the assertion. At the 
annual meeting in 1875, the High School appropriation was 
defeated, and no further attempt was ever made to establish 
such a school in the town. 

No education above the common school grades was fur- 
nished by the town after this until 1901, when a contract 
was made with Bridgton Academy which was so attractive 
to the town that an appropriation was voted to pay the bills, 
the State assisting to the exent of one-half of the sum, or 
$250. All students above a certain grade attended that 
Academy, having their tuition paid by the town, and this 
was repeated in 1902, and 1903, with little opposition, and 
an average of about twenty students annually availed them- 
selves of the privilege. In 1903, the State passed a law 
"For the Better Education of Youth," which makes it im- 
perative that every town shall furnish High School tuition 
to all qualified students who desire it, to the extent of not 
over $30 each. This made no change necessary in the course 
which we were pursuing, and now twenty-two students are 
attending Bridgton Academy, and two are at other schools. 



l82 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER VI. 



TRANSPORTATION IN EARLY DAYS. 



Freight and Passenger Routes. 



'Hp RAN SPORT ATION is an important factor in the 
-■- business of any place, hence the people always en- 
deavor to provide ways by which it may be done over the 
most available routes, and the ones which, all things con- 
sidered, shall be the cheapest. The transportation of the 
early days was all done by means of teams over the roads, 
there being no other available way. All freight was hauled 
by horses or oxen, and at times, especially in the winter, 
the large number of such teams in use would make busy 
scenes in the vicinity of the hotels in the country villages, 
and also on the highways which they traversed. Those 
highways were not like the smooth roads of the present 
time, some of them being hardly passable in the summer 
season, hence the teaming was done as much as possible 
in the winter months when the deep snows would make a 
good thoroughfare over the worst highways as soon as they 
were trodden down. Long lines of those teams used to 
travel over the roads, even from the back towns of New 
Hampshire and Vermont, by the most available routes to 
Portland, which was the market town for "all the country 
round about," carrying all kinds of country produce, shook, 
hoops, and various kinds of lumber, on the down trips, and 
taking back groceries, and all of the various necessaries 
of life. Many are the tales that the old people used to 
tell of the exploits of these "Varmounters," and "Co-hoss- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 183 

men," as those teamsters used to be called in the olden times. 
They were a rough and hardy set, full of life and energy, 
not averse to mischief, as was set forth by various tricks 
and antics, but in the main, kind-hearted and generous, and 
ready to do good to all who deserved it. 

The first move toward a betterment of the transportation 
routes was the substitution of boats in the place of teams, 
wherever available waterways could be found, and the 
greatest enterprise in this line hereabouts was the old "Cum- 
berland and Oxford Canal," which connected Sebago Lake 
with Portland, leaving the lake at the foot of "The Basin," 
at the point long known as the "Head of the Canal," and 
passing through Standish, Gorham, Windham, and West- 
brook for a distance of twenty miles, and entering Portland 
Harbor through the "Lower Guard Lock," near the Gas 
Works. This was in its day a "stupendous enterprise," 
constructed at the cost of $206,000. The upper part of the 
route was across Sebago Lake (or Pond), through Songo 
River, "Brandy Pond," "Chute's River," and "Long Pond" 
to Harrison, which was the head of the route as constructed. 
It was originally intended that it should pass on through 
Waterford and into towns farther back in Oxford County, 
but the capital did not seem to be forthcoming to build it 
above Harrison. The name, "Cumberland and Oxford," 
came from the original intentions of the builders. 

The upper end of the route, thirty-three miles in length, 
was smooth sailing most of the way, and the motive power 
on this part was entirely wind, except in the crooked Songo 
River, and the channel at Naples, where recourse was had 
to the long, stout poles, with which the boatmen would 
push the boats against the current and where the wind was 
not available. The lake at the Head of the Canal was 
two hundred and sixty-two feet above tide water at Port- 
land Harbor, and twenty-seven locks were used to make this 
drop — and the opposite rise. The course of the Canal was 
varied to carry it through the different villages between 



184 A HISTORY OF THE 

Sebago Lake and Portland, and it passed through "Middle 
Jam," Great Falls (or North Gorham), Gambo (now New- 
hall), Little Falls (or South Windham), Mallison Falls (or 
"Horsebeef"), "Saccarappa," "Congin," and "Stroudwater." 
The motive power on the Canal was the same that was used 
on all old-time canals — towing by horses, the animals being 
taken to the Head of the Canal in the spring, and when not 
in use, kept in stables provided for the purpose, until the 
end of the season. 

This Canal was opened to the public in 1829, and the 
first craft to pass through it was a pleasure boat known as 
the "George Washington," which was built and owned by 
Wm. A. Rice of Portland. This was converted into a 
freight boat later on. The first freight boat to go through 
the Canal was the "Columbus," built and run by Kennard 
of Great Falls. Boats of various kinds were used on the 
Canal at different times, but in time they were nearly all 
constructed in the way that had been proved to be the most 
available for the route. The type of boat almost universally 
used when the Canal was at the "Height of Prosperity" is 
thus described by Chas. O. Stickney, the well-known news- 
paper writer, to whom we are indebted for many facts used 
in this chapter: 

"It is about sixty-five feet long, ten feet beam, nearly 
five feet deep, has square stern and rounded bows, nearly 
perpendicular sides, flat bottom, so as to pass in shoal water, 
and, instead of a keel, is provided with centerboards to make 
the boat hug the wind when sailing — at which it is a 
decided success. It is rigged with a main and fore sail, 
the mainsail having a hoist of nearly thirty feet, with boom 
about forty feet, and gaff ten or eleven feet long. It carries 
no bowsprit and jib. There is a small fore deck. In the 
stern is a cozy cabin which serves the triple purpose of 
cook-room, dining-room, and sleeping-room, it being pro- 
vided with a cook-stove and culinary utensils ; a table 
fastened to the wall with hinges so as to be turned back 
and buttoned when not in use ; and double and single berths 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 185 

sufficient for five or six persons. The masts are set in jaws, 
so as to be lowered, like shutting the blade of a jack-knife, 
when passing under a bridge, or in the Canal." 

The boats "cost about $500 each, and usually carried 
from twenty-five to thirty tons, but sometimes as many as 
sixty tons." They not infrequently made short voyages 
across Portland Harbor, and along the coast, and more than 
one has sailed in safety over the route to Boston and back. 
In the early days of the Canal, it is said that sweeps, or 
oars, were carried so that the boatmen could row when the 
wind was lacking, but this custom was soon abandoned, and 
the boats were suffered to lie becalmed when there was in- 
sufficient wind. An immense business was done at freight- 
ing over this route, and it is said that as many as one hun- 
dred and fifty boats have run over the route in a single 
season, but the number was usually not far from one hun- 
dred. For down freight they carried lumber of all kinds, 
wood, staves, cooperage, and all kinds of farm produce, 
which might come from all the towns which were con- 
tiguous to the chain of lakes, great amounts of freight being 
hauled to and from the wharves at North Bridgton and 
Harrison, at the head of the route. All kinds of goods sold 
at the various country stores, and everything used by the 
people, made up the return loads. Regular tolls were paid 
on all freight which went through the Canal. Heavy freight 
was rated by weight and measure, while the bulky freight 
paid by the cubic foot, or yard. Toll on a hogshead of 
molasses was forty cents, while that on a hogshead of rum 
was sixty cents, and it is a fact that the latter was just as 
common for freight as was the former, it being said that 
at one time a certain boat had for a portion of its load seven 
hogsheads of rum, and that it was all unloaded at one small 
village, and the people were not all drunkards either. The 
writer well remembers hearing one of the old time boatmen 
tell of a "Fourth of July Celebration" on one of the boats 
which well illustrates the situation at that time : 



l86 A HISTORY OF THE 

It was in the early days of the Canal. The boat in ques- 
tion lay becalmed on Long Pond on one Fourth of July. 
The crew had been very anxious to reach Bridgton Center 
Landing early in the day, but the elements were perverse, 
and gradually all hopes were abandoned of reaching port 
in season to see the show that they were desirous of attend- 
ing, and the crew turned their minds to other matters. They 
informed the captain that they must have "something to 
take," for the sake of the day, but were informed that he 
"hadn't a drop on the boat." One of the crew replied that 
they were going to have something for a treat, and told the 
captain that if he would watch sharp he would find out how 
they would obtain it. The captain was almost horrified 
to see the man, who was a cooper, approach a hogshead of 
rum that was being carried to "Merchant Andrews," put 
it in position, start up the bar across the head, and bore a 
small gimlet hole through the head. Of course this made 
a place for the liquor to run through, and the man quietly 
proceeded to draw out some two quarts of the liquid. He 
then stopped the hole with a small plug which he had all 
ready, drove the bar back into position, and, as he had done 
a very neat job, no mark was left. Sweetening was next 
called for, but none was to be had, and recourse was again 
had to the freight. The man next attacked a hogshead of 
molasses belonging to the same man, knocked out the bung, 
and proceeded to dip out what molasses he needed, using 
a large spoon for the purpose. He then replaced the bung 
very neatly, and that job was hidden. Of course the cap- 
tain had protested vehemently against this work, but all 
protests were in vain. The next thing was to mix the 
"toddy," the ingredients being ready at hand. The captain 
was very politely asked if he wouldn't have "something to 
take," and the man who told the story said that he did not 
refuse the invitation. 

The route from Harrison across the lakes, excepting a 
short distance on the lower end, was the same that is fol- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 187 

lowed by the lake steamers of the present day, and has been 
so often written up by lovers of the beautiful, and traversed 
by so many thousand passengers, that little need be said 
in description of it. The men who navigated the boats were 
a tough and hardy set, and were derisively called "fresh 
water sailors" by some, especially those who had "sailed the 
seas," whom they some times encountered in Portland, and 
with whom they came very near to having bloody encounters 
on certain holidays when quite a number of them would 
chance to be in town. But there were fighters in the ranks 
of the boatmen, and the "sailors" would have been badly 
punished before they had gained a victory. It is related 
that several of the sailors were decidedly ugly, and were 
threatening one of the boatmen that they had chanced to 
encounter. He was by no means frightened, and told the 
sailors that they had better look out, for he had made ten 
bigger men than any of them run on one occasion. "When 
was that? Just tell us about it!" derisively replied the 
sailors. "Why, I got into trouble with them, and they set 
out to lick me. I run like hell, and they all run after me." 
The ready wit of the reply tickled the sailors, and there was 
no further trouble. 

But everything is not always lovely and pleasant for the 
boatmen on this beautiful and picturesque route, for ugly 
storms sometimes arise, and Sebago Lake is not a pleasant 
body of water on which to encounter a "howling gale" in 
so frail a craft as one of the old canal boats. Mr. Stickney 
encountered such a storm in the only voyage which he ever 
made in a canal boat, and thus describes his experience : 

"I can never forget that sensational experience of riding 
out one of the most formidable gales ever encountered by 
any craft upon that inland sea. I was not frightened, 
for I had unbounded confidence in my companions, (Hanson 
Fields, Eli Plummer, and Charles Gates), yet there was no 
knowing what might happen at any moment. I looked 
about for a piece of board or plank, or any available thing 



l88 A HISTORY OF THE 

which might serve me as a Hfe preserver, but in vain, so 
I philosophically resolved to keep a stiff upper lip, and 
bide the chances. The waves run high, and our boat tipped 
sideways to an alarming degree, as ever and anon a big 
wave dashed over the deck, leaving more or less water in 
the hold. I was interested in watching sturdy Uncle Eli 
manage our little ship. I see him this moment as plainly 
as then, as he stands at the helm, his black locks streaming 
behind his ears, his dark, keen eyes for a moment diverted 
from the straight look ahead. Now he brings the boat 
more to the wind as the gale slightly strengthens, and now 
turns her instinctively a trifle away. He is master of his 
profession, if not of the elements, and under his skilled 
guidance we ride out the gale in safety. What was un- 
usual in those days with men of his calling, Uncle Eli was 
an abstainer from strong drink, and hence his naturally 
level head was never unsettled by potations. 

"And now 'tis the twilight hour, and the faint light of 
the new moon aids in making the scene one of real grandeur 
and sublimity, as we approach the dark outline of the north 
shore. At nine o'clock we run into the mouth of the Songo. 
Now the scene changes as if by magic. No longer the 
sound of the wind and waves, but in their stead a death- 
like stillness. The darkness of the forest on either side 
of the river is intense, but the stream itself is visible by 
reason of the reflection of the sky upon its meandering 
surface. 

"The solemn stillness is unbroken, save by the steady 
tramp, tramp of the boatmen as they walk the length of the 
gunwale, pushing the craft along with the long, heavy 
poles, and tramping rapidly back again and again to the 
bows ; while the northern lights, which shine with unusual 
brilliancy, dance and shoot like phantoms, giving additional 
weirdness to the scene. I sit on deck until about ten 
o'clock, then seek the cozy cabin and turn in. I must have 
slept sounflly for when I woke up the sun was shining 
brightly. * * * I rose and went on deck, and to my 
great surprise our boat was just heading for the near-by 
wharf at Plummer's Landing. A few minutes later we 
were moored to the wharf. My first and last canal boat 
voyage was ended." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 189 

Of course Harrison was much benefited by this Canal, 
situated as it was at the head of the route, with the wharves 
and store-houses very conveniently situated in regard to 
the main village and its places of business, and the busi- 
ness men took all possible advantage, not only in freight- 
ing, but man)' boats were owned and run by Harrison 
parties first and last, for a great business was carried 
on for more than forty years, more than six months in 
the year. There is no way of learning who owned and 
run the first "canal boat" from Harrison, but it is quite 
certain that the first boat built at Harrison Village was 
made by Seth Carsley. It was built in the field in front 
of the Samuel Gray house, and at a point just to the south 
of the brook, which would make it very near to where 
the Willison Cottage now stands. Jethro Libby, Elliot 
Libby's father, was one of the first to run a boat over 
the Canal. He owned two boats and continued the busi- 
ness until his death in 1840. Elliot Libby then took his 
business, and carried it on until his death in 1864. Robert 
Libby, a cousin to Elliot, commenced boating at about the 
time that Elliot did, and carried it on for several years, 
running two boats most of the time. Francis Blake was 
in the business for several years, and Christopher C. W. 
Sampson run one, or more, boats for at least twenty-five 
years. "Captain" Sampson was the one that made the 
first attempt to run a freight boat by steam. There are 
many now living who have a lively recollection of the old 
"Monkeydena," which, though not wholly successful, was 
the pioneer in the business. Captain Charles Libby run 
a boat as early as 1857, and Cyrus Haskell one some time 
in the fifties. S. H. Dawes run a boat for a time, as did 
also Charles E. Gibbs, one that ran to Harrison. When 
the P. & O. Railroad was opened to Sebago Lake, in 1870, 
the use of the Canal was practically abandoned, and in 
1873, not a boat ran through it, nor were any repairs made 
on it. Now hardly a vestige of it is to be found. 



190 A HISTORY OF THE 

Thougli the Canal was virtually closed at the opening 
of the railroad, the navigation of the upper end of the 
route was continued the same as before the change of 
route, the only dili'erence being that while freight was 
carried over the lakes in the boats just the same, the 
route ended at Sebago Lake Station where connection was 
made with the railroad. The Lake Station was made a 
great distributing depot, and from it freight went to all 
points that could be reached over the lakes. The boats 
were no longer "canal boats," though the name clung to 
them as long as they floated. Then the trips could be 
made quicker, and less boats were needed. Next, the 
narrow gauge road was opened to Bridgton in 1883. and 
more boats were taken from the route. The opening of 
the Bridgton road to Harrison, in Augiist, 1898, was the 
death blow to freighting by boats over the lakes, as the 
road offered such advantageous rates for the whole year 
that all freight was transferred to the railroad, and the 
boats went out of commission. Their "bones" are to be 
found at various places on the shores of our lake. Oc- 
casionally a steam scow finds its way to the Village, but 
it is after a raft of logs, or on some private enterprise. 



Ste.\m Passenger Boats. 

The opening of steam navigation, and the establishment 
of a passenger route from Harrison over the lakes to 
Standish at "Chadbourne's," and thence by stage to Port- 
land, was quite an event in the history of Harrison. The 
first steamer was the "Fawn," which was built in 1847, 
by a stock company. A stage line had for manj' years 
been in operation from Waterford to Portland, through 
Harrison, Bridgton, Naples, Raymond, and Windham, and 
over the route a four horse coach was driven tri-weekly 
each way. It was a money-making institution, as the busi- 



TOWX OF HARRISON. IQI 

ness comprised passengers, express, and mails, and for 
a long time it was very near to a monopoly. 

About 1846, some enterprising citizens of Bridgton and 
vicinity decided to utilize the beautiful water-way by putting 
on a passenger steamer to run in connection with the 
stages, which were to run to meet it at each end of the 
water route, thus giving a through trip from Waterford 
to Portland, and also reaching North Waterford, Albany 
Basins, Bethel, and Lovell. A deal was made with the 
owners of the stage line, by which they became part owners 
of the steamer, and were to provide the stages which were 
to be used to extend the route beyond the limits of the 
lakes. The company was christened as "The Sebago & 
Long Pond Steam Navigation Company," was duly char- 
tered by the Legislature, and given exclusive rights to 
the navigation by steam of Long Pond and Sebago Lake, 
and their tributaries, for the time of ten years. 

In 1847, a Mr. Friend came from New York to build 
the steamer, and the scene of this exploit was at North 
Bridgton, at a point a short distance above the present 
railroad station. It was a great event for such a "back 
country" place, and many were the visitors during the time 
that the work was in progress. The boat was completed 
so as to make its first trip late in the summer of 1847, and 
the day on which the event took place was the "day of 
days" to "all the country round." The people went from 
far and near to swell the crowd that was present at Chad- 
bourne's Landing when the "Fawn" made its first landing 
at that place. An eye witness says that the whole country 
was depopulated for miles around to make up the immense 
crowd that was gathered to see such a sight as "ne'er was 
seen before." 

The boat itself was burdened by an engine and boiler 
many sizes too large for her, and was cranky and ill- 
balanced. A well-known correspondent in a recent article 
describes her thus: 



192 A HISTORY OF THE 

"In making a short turn the steamboat would tip side- 
ways thereby lifting one of the paddle-wheels out of the 
water, on account of which the passengers literally worked 
their passage when going through the Songo, they being 
used as ballast to keep her evenly balanced by dint of 
going to one side and the other as she went round the sharp 
curves. * * * B^,t grg long, Yankee ingenuity devised 
an improved substitute in the form of a little deck car 
laden with iron chain, which was pushed back and forth 
on the deck on a crosswise track, which had the distinction 
of being the first narrow-gauge railroad ever run in that 
vicinity." 

Harrison was well represented in the officers and crew 
of the "Fawn." The veteran navigator, Capt. C. C. W. 
Sampson, was the pilot and cominander, and was at his 
station during the whole of the time that the boat was 
run, which was nearly ten years. Newell N. Caswell was 
the engineer, and the clerk and purser was Thomas R. 
Sampson, afterwards for many years a popular merchant, 
and town clerk. "Uncle" Daniel Scribner was fireman for 
many years, and was succeeded by a man named Water- 
house. The steamer paid well for one or two years, but 
the construction of the Grand Trunk road, with stage lines 
that served much of the territory that formerly found an 
outlet over the lake route, was a hard blow to the enter- 
prise, and eventually resulted in its ruin. The boat cost 
$8,000 to build in 1847, and it was sold to Hon. George 
Peirce, on April 18, 1855, for $1,885, the tackle, furniture, 
and other appurtenances being sold to the same party 
for enough to make the total sum of $1,951.60. The boat 
was torn to pieces, and the engine and boiler sold to parties 
at Moosehead Lake, and hauled over the road with horses. 
It is said that it is still in operation in a steamer on the 
lake. 

The boat was said to be of very light draught on account 
of the shoal water on Songo Bar and some other places. 
At one time water was quite low on account of prolonged 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 193 

drought. One morning the boat had a good load of pas- 
sengers, a well-known stage driver named Seavey being 
on board, and looking after the welfare of the passengers 
who were to ride into Portland with him. Seavey sud- 
denly remarked that he was mighty glad that there was a 
good heavy dew the night before. One of the passengers, 
thinking it a strange remark, asked why he was glad. "Be- 
cause I shall not have to get off now, and tow this old 
craft over the bar," replied Seavey. 

Another anecdote in connection with the old "Fawn" 
was long remembered at the expense of the engineer. 
There was a maiden lady named Mary Emerson, a sister 
of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and a resident of Water ford, 
who was a frequent traveler over the route. She was 
very peculiar, and Mr. Caswell had a great horror of her. 
In the engine room was a chest that sat against the boiler, 
and furnished a good seat for any one that was cold. Miss 
Emerson seemed to be always cold, for she spent the 
greater part of her time while on the boat, in sitting on 
that chest. Mr. Caswell determined that he would try 
to frighten her away when next she took her favorite 
position. Soon she was again a passenger, and planted 
herself on the chest as usual. As soon as Mr. Caswell 
was at liberty, he approached her and said: "Miss Emerson, 
do you know that you are in a very dangerous place? If 
the boiler should happen to burst you would be instantly 
killed." Miss Emerson evidently mistrusted what Mr. 
Caswell was trying to do, and quietly replied: "Mr. Cas- 
well, I am prepared to go at any time when the Lord calls, 
and it makes no difference where I am." She remained 
on the chest till the boat reached Standish, and Mr. Caswell 
did not very soon hear the last of his trying to get rid 
of Miss Emerson. 

After the "Fawn" so suddenly went out of existence 
there was a long cessation of any attempt to run passenger 
boats over the lakes, and it was not until 1869, that a little 



194 A HISTORY OF THE 

propeller steamer, named "Oriental," was built by Capt. 
Thomas Symonds of Portland, who was impressed with 
the fact that there had been a great increase in the amount 
of travel since the days of the "Fawn," and believed that 
the business might be made to pay if rightly managed. 
The "Oriental" was put upon the route in 1869, running 
from Harrison to Sebago Lake Station, where connection 
was made with the railroad, thus saving the long stage ride 
which had been a prominent feature of the old route into 
Portland. On the first trip of the "Oriental" over the lakes, 
Capt. Abram Shaw of Standish, was the pilot, and he con- 
tinued to run over the route in that capacity for many years 
in the little steamer and her successors. 

Capt. Symonds continued to run the "Oriental" about a 
year with indifferent success, and then sold out to Hon. 
Charles E. Gibbs of Bridgton, who was connected with the 
steamboating business for many years thereafter. Nelson 
J. Wales of Bridgton, bought an interest in the "Oriental," 
and was her captain and manager, and continued to act 
in that capacity on the new and elegant side-wheel steamer, 
"Sebago," which the company soon put upon the route. 
Business increased to such an extent that another side- 
wheel steamer — a twin boat to the "Sebago," and known 
as the "Mt. Pleasant" — was put on the route in 1873, the 
"Oriental" having been burned at her wharf at Harrison in 
1 87 1, and the two boats were both running daily during 
the season, until the "Sebago" was burned in 1873, at Bridg- 
ton Landing, where she lay on the ways in winter quarters. 
Mr. Wales had previously sold his interest to Mr. Gibbs, 
and he alone was the company for several years. A new 
screw propeller steamer, the "Hawthorne," was built to 
take the place of the "Sebago," and was the only steamer 
on the route when the property next changed hands, the 
"Mt. Pleasant" having been discarded as unseaworthy. 

The steamboat property was transferred in 1892, to the 
S. D. Warren Company, and they in turn sold it to Charles 



TOWN OF HARRISON. I95 

L. Goodridge of Deering, a grandson of Benj. Goodridge, 
one of the pioneers of Naples and a prominent business 
man of that town. Mr. Goodridge increased the facilities 
at once by adding another steamer, and later built still 
another one, so that three good boats are now on the 
route, one being used for excursions, and for making the 
daily trip to Raymond from the railroad. The route has 
been extensively advertised, and is noted far and wide as 
one of the most beautiful inland water-ways in the whole 
country, and each year seems to add to its popularity. Con- 
nection is made daily with the elegant summer resort 
hotel at Naples, the Bay of Naples Inn, and with the 
fine hotels at Bridgton and Harrison; a stage line also 
connects the steamers with Waterford. Thousands of pas- 
sengers go over the route each year, and in the height of 
the season large excursion parties come up from Portland 
on the boat and return by the railroad. 

Of the large numbers of people from all over the United 
States who travel over this route each year, all seem to be 
enthusiastic in its praise, agreeing that one must journey a 
long distance before he can find its equal. The great 
stretch of landscape that is constantly in sight while crossing 
Sebago, keeps one constantly on the alert lest something 
be missed from the view; the wonderful Songo with its 
many picturesque crooks and turns is unrivalled for its 
quiet beauty; and Long Lake, with one pretty village at 
its foot and two more at its head, with the beautiful moun- 
tain scenery only a short distance away, makes a picture 
that is not soon forgotten by the tourist who is a lover of 
nature. 



196 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER VII. 



BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 



MERCHANTS. 
T T is extremely difficult at the present time to give any- 
-'■ thing more than a brief and somewhat incomplete history 
of the stores that have been kept at Harrison since its 
settlement, and of the many merchants of various kinds 
that have done business within its borders. All seem to 
be agreed that the first store in town was kept by Capt. 
Benjamin Foster in South Harrison. Capt. Foster was 
one of the earliest settlers in the town, coming probably 
before 1800. The store was on the westerly side of the 
Edes's Falls road, a short distance to the south of the 
present residence of Herman Thompson. It was in close 
proximity to the farm buildings of the proprietor, which 
have long since gone to decay, leaving only the nearly 
filled cellar and a few other marks to indicate the pres- 
ence of buildings in the past. 

Ridlon says in his "Early Settlers :" "This store was the 
place where many stories were told and much ardent spirit 
was imbibed ;" and further on in the same book, in the 
sketch of Capt. Foster, he says : "The store was the 
place where many curious scenes were enacted. Being near 
the course of the river the drivers resorted thither where 
they could wet the inside to correspond with the outside." 

Probably the extracts do no injustice to the place, nor 
do they indicate that it was immoral or disreputable, as 
such things were viewed in those days. River driving 
was a great event each year, and Capt. Foster's store and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 197 

residence were the headquarters of the men when in the 
vicinity. ^Vithout doubt ardent spirit was kept for sale 
in that store the same as it was in nearly every grocery 
store at the time. River drivers in those days were gen- 
erally addicted to drink, and doubtless what they got at 
the captain's store caused some hilarious scenes, which in 
our times might cause wholesale arrests. Probably the 
store added quite a little to the income of the proprietor 
for a time, as he must have had a monopoly of what 
trade there was over quite a territory, and at certain sea- 
sons there must have been considerable. 

Many are the stories that have been handed down by 
tradition in relation to some of the happenings at that 
little store, and at his dwelling, which was a public house 
at all times, and more especially so in river driving times. 
One in regard to what was done to the negro doctor is 
a good sample: 

It seems that at one time the captain's house was full 
of river drivers and others, among them being a notorious 
character of those times known as "Doctor Coodle,"* d 
man who was always at the head of all kinds of "dev- 
iltry." Another character of those times was a certain 
negro "doctor" who used to travel over the country. It 
happened on this particular night that the colored man 
applied at the captain's for "entertainment for man and 
beast." "The shades of night were falling fast," outside 
it was dark and stormy, and, though the house was crowded, 
it was not thought best to turn away the "doctor." As 
soon as he caught sight of the darkey, "Coodle" marked 
him for a victim, and laid his plans accordingly, having 
plenty of ready helpers. 

No sooner was the darkey through with his supper than 
the sport began, the rivermen proceeding under the leader- 
ship of "Coodle" to make life miserable to him in ways 
which they were all too ready to devise. "Coodle" pre- 

*His real name was Wood. 



198 A HISTORY OF THE 

tended the utmost friendship for the negro, who was about 
half drunk and a ready victim. Finally matters became so 
hot that the old darkey resolved to brave the elements, 
and drive on in the storm to some other shelter where he 
might find more congenial company. He called for his 
horse, and "Coodle," as a part of his pretended friendship, 
volunteered to see that he was brought to the door. 

Now it happened that Capt. Foster had among his stock 
a very frisky young bull. "Coodle," with the help of will- 
ing assistants, proceeded to saddle and bridle the bull in- 
stead of the darkey's horse, and took him to the door, 
there being help enough to keep him in subjection. The 
doctor was informed that his horse was ready. It was 
terribly dark outside, and the half drunken negro failed 
to detect the difference between the bull and the horse. 
"Coodle" was ready with his very "friendly" help, and as- 
sisted the doctor to mount his waiting steed while the 
helpers kept him as quiet as possible. The doctor was 
safely seated in the saddle, his saddle-bags were put in 
place, and the reins were carefully placed in his hands. 
As he gathered up the reins he said to his pretended 
friends : "I thanks you all for your kindness, and I now 
bids you all good night, gemmen." The bull was released, 
and as he felt himself free he gave a wild bellow of 
fright, whirled about and rushed for the barnyard with 
tail erect. Frightened almost out of the few wits that 
remained the old doctor clung for dear life, but nothing 
short of a cowboy of the plains could ride such a steed, 
and in short order he was flung into the mud and filth, 
while the frightened bull dashed away to be caught later 
and divested of what was left of his trappings. As good 
luck would have it the doctor was but little injured, but 
the fright probably had the effect to make him a sober man 
for a time. 

Foster's store was the pioneer, but it was only a little 
later on when Oliver Peirce had a small store in the cor- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 199 

ner, just above his residence, which was where Frank B. 
Ward now lives. As early as 1824, or possibly a little 
earlier, the first store was kept at the Village by Joel 
Whitmore, in a small building between the Morse corner 
and where the "brick store" stood later. This brick store 
was a landmark at the Village for many years, standing 
near where the Reform Club Hall was later. George 
Peirce was in trade in the "corner store" as early as 1827, 
the store probably having been built by him, and was for 
many years known as the "Peirce store." The Blakes 
were in business as early as 1830, the early history of 
their store having been quite fully given in Mr. Fernald's 
address, which appears in the account of the Centennial 
Celebration in the first part of the book. 

We have been unable to learn the date of the erection 
of the "brick store," or who built it, but Capt. William 
Lindsay was probably the first trader in that store. He 
was there in the early thirties, and remained there for 
several years, there being no known change till George 
F. Foster began to trade there in 1843. 

Alanson Gary, Mrs. Harrison Blake's father, had a small 
store in 1835 or 1836, just across the bridge, it stand- 
ing where the Sampson horse sheds stood later. The build- 
ing was removed in after years, and is a part of the house 
where Levi Harmon now lives. About the time that Gary 
was in trade Jacob Powers was keeping store in the Lu- 
ther Blake building, being there as late as 1838. William 
Libby was there for a short time a little later on. Henry 
Robie built a store about 1834, which building is now the 
blacksmith shop. He entered into trade with a partner, 
the firm being Robie & Parsons. They closed up their 
business in 1838, and Robie went back onto his farm. 

Ezra Gary traded in the Maybury stand (opposite the 
"corner store") as early as 1835, Charles Robie of Gorham 
— brother to e.x-Governor Robie — being his partner for 
a time. Later he sold out to Robie, and he continued to 



200 A HISTORY OF THE 

run the business as late as 1838. George F. Foster, son 
of. Capt. Benj. Foster, was in trade in the "brick store" in 
1843, and a little later on he bought a stable that stood 
where the Charles Sampson house now stands, moved it 
across the street, and fitted it up for a store and dwelling 
house, keeping store in the lower part and living in the 
upper part. The building is now known as the Herbert 
Rowe house. Mr. Foster sold out to Lot C. Nelson of 
Bridgton in 1852, and he remained in the same store for 
a short time, and then moved across the street into the 
"corner store," and remained there initil he sold out to 
J. H. Illsley in 1854. 

Johnson Warren came here in 1845, s^^l fi''st began busi- 
ness in the "corner store." Later he moved into the 
Henry Robie store and traded there until his new store 
across the bridge was finished in 1847, when he moved 
into that, and continued in trade there until sometime in 
1850. Thomas T. Peirce was in business in the "corner," 
or "Peirce" store for several years, closing out about 1852. 

When the Blakes first went into business the store was 
run by Grinfill and Francis Blake, sons of Squire Grinfill 
Blake, the firm name being G. & F. Blake. After a time 
Francis bought out Grinfill's interest and continued in busi- 
ness alone until 1854. About a year before this he went 
into business in Portland, and moved his family there, 
though still continuing his business here under the charge 
of Thomas R. Sampson. In 1855, Silas Blake bought one- 
half interest in the store, and the firm was then Francis 
Blake & Co. until the next year, when Silas Blake bought 
out his partner and was the sole proprietor of the store 
until his death which occurred in 1868. 

Thomas R. Sampson came from Portland in 1847, and 
went into trade in the Maybury stand. After trading alone 
for about a year he took one Augustus Woodbury into 
partnership, the firm name being Sampson & Woodbury. 
Soon after they moved into the "brick store," and were in 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 201 

business there about three years. After running as clerk 
on the Steamer "Fawn" some two or three years, and also 
clerking some for other parties, Mr. Sampson entered the 
employ of the Blakes and remained with them nine years. 
In 1862, he opened a general store in the Johnson Warren 
store across the bridge, which was later to be known as 
the Sampson store. Elliot Libby was his partner, the firm 
name being Libby & Sampson. In 1864, Mr. Libby died 
in the South, and Samuel Gray became a partner in his 
place, the firm being T. R. Sampson & Co. Mr. Gray 
died in 1872, and Mr. Sampson's son, Howard L., then 
became a partner, the firm name changing to T. R. Samp- 
son & Son, and so remained until Mr. Sampson's death in 
1885. Howard L. Sampson continued to run the busi- 
ness under the old firm name until 1892, when it was closed 
out. The store was unoccupied until 1898, when Charles 
H. Eaton opened a furniture store there and carried it 
on for a short time. After he closed up his business the 
store remained unoccupied as long as it stood. It was torn 
down in 1904, and the site that was so long occupied by 
the "Sampson store," built in 1847 by Johnson Warren, 
is now a part of the lawn of Dr. James P. Blake. 

Jonathan H. Illsley came to Harrison in 1854, buying 
out Lot C. Nelson in the "corner store," and continuing 
to run a general store there until after the death of Silas 
Blake in 1868. He bought the Blake store in the winter 
of 1868-69, removed his business there, and continued to 
trade there until he sold out to Marshall Jordan in 1880. 
Mr. Jordan carried on a very large business, occupying 
the whole of the lower floor of the block, and also using 
a part of the basement for heavy iron and some of the 
groceries. He died in 1898, and his son, Victor L., who 
had been a partner for a time in the firm of M. Jordan 
& Son, took charge of the business, with his brothers, 
Ernest A. and Walter C. as his partners under the firm 
name of Jordan Bros. In 1902, a part interest in the 



202 A HISTORY OF THE 

business was sold to Joseph W. and Wilford C. Lamb of 
Naples, and the firm for a year was Jordan & Lamb Bros. 
At the end of the year the firm was dissolved by the 
Lamb Brothers selling their interest to the Jordans, and 
the firm again became Jordan Bros. In 1906, the grocery 
and hardware de|)artments of the business were sold to J. T. 
Kneeland, who had for some time been a clerk for the 
firm. The store was divided into two parts, Kneeland 
taking the southerly portion, while Jordan Bros, continued 
to carry on the dry goods business to a limited extent 
in the other part. This was the situation when the fire 
of May 14, 1907, destroyed both stores and all of their 
contents. 

In 1855, Charles Farley, the man who was then carry- 
ing on the wire factory, grist and saw mills, etc., in addition 
to all of his other business entered into trade, opening 
a general store in the "brick store," which seems to have 
been empty for a time. But misfortunes in other places, 
as has been duly set forth in Mr. Cyrus Farley's sketch 
of his father, caused him to close out his business of all 
kinds at Harrison, including the store, and return to Port- 
land before the close of 1855. As far as we are able 
to learn he was the last occupant of the "brick store." 

In 1856, George W. Hathaway came here and opened 
a general store in the Henry Robie store. Mr. Hathaway 
was a genial, pleasant man, but for some reason his business 
did not flourish to a sufficient degree to warrant him in 
continuing it beyond about two years, after which he 
closed it out and left town. He was the last occupant 
of the Henry Robie store, which was converted into a 
blacksmith shop, and has been occu])ied for that for a 
long term of years. 

Josiah Monroe came from Waterford in 1870, and opened 
a general store in the "corner store," which had been va- 
cated by J. H. Illsley the year before. Charles Young 
of Waterford was a partner in the firm, which was Young 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 203 

& Monroe, but Mr. Monroe carried on the business, and 
lived at Harrison. After being together for one year 
Monroe bought out Young's interest, and carried on the 
business alone until 1874, when he sold a half interest in 
it to Franklin Walker, one of the owners of the wire 
factory, the firm after that being Monroe & Walker until 
they went out of business in 1878, after which Mr. Monroe 
returned to his old home at Water ford. 

Evans A. Kneeland kept a small grocery store for a few 
years in the small store now occupied by Miss Blanche 
Bradbury, opening it about 1875. At his death his brother 
Orlando A. Kneeland, took the business, and shortly moved 
into the "corner store," which had again become vacant. 
In 1885, Frank O. Gray bought a half interest in the busi- 
ness, and went into the store, the firm name being Knee- 
land & Gray. In 1886, Freeland H. Ricker bought out 
Kneeland's interest, and the firm became Ricker & Gray, 
and so continued until Gray sold his interest to Ricker, 
who bought the coat shop building in 1895, fitted it up 
for a store, and moved his business into it. He continued 
to carry on his business there until the store and nearly 
all of the contents were destroyed in the fire of May, 
1907. Mr. Ricker at once began the erection of a new 
store on the spot where the old one was burned, and moved 
into it in the August following the fire. 

William H. Bailey carried on a small dry goods business, 
in connection with a tailoring business, in the store two 
doors to the south of the "corner store," from 1892 to 
1895, at which date he entered into partnership with Fred 
B. Wiggin of Portland, under the firm name of Bailey 
& Wiggin, and they opened a general store in the "corner 
store." One year later Bailey sold out his interest to James 
T. Kneeland, and the firm became Wiggin & Kneeland. 
They continued the business for about three years. 

Hollis II. Caswell, son of Newell N. Caswell, had been 
in the stove and hardware business on a limited scale in 



204 A HISTORY OF THE 

a small store near his father's mill for a short time pre- 
vious to 1891, but in that year he built his present store, 
and went into the hardware and grocery business in the 
new store in 1892. Later he also took the grain and milling 
business which his father had carried on in a small way, 
and fitted up the mill with modern machinery. His busi- 
ness has been greatly enlarged since it was first started, 
and now covers many more branches than it did at first. 
Extensive additions and improvements have been made in 
the mill within a short time ; and the store has been en- 
larged, and remodelled to some extent, and is one of the 
largest antl best equipped stores that can be found in a 
country village. 

The Drug Store building — or Odd Fellows Block — 
was built by Albion K. Morse in 1888, and was first oc- 
cupied as a drug store by J. I"". Moody of North Bridgton. 
He sold out during the following year to Dr. H. H. Cole, 
who ran the business until his death in November, 1890. 
Dr. C. B. Sylvester and Albert W. Dudley then bought 
the business, and carried it on under the firm name of 
Sylvester & Dudley. Later they sol<l their business to 
Henry A. Sylvester of Bridgton, who retained it but a 
short time, and then turned it back to the old firm, who 
carried it on until they sold it to James G. Jones of Ox- 
ford in 1900. Mr. Jones remaiiiecl in charge of the busi- 
ness until his death in 1902, when it was sold to Charles 
W. Jackson of Portland, who carried it on there until the 
store and most of the stock was destroyed in the great 
fire. \'ery soon after the fire Mr. Jackson bought the 
Odd Fellows lot, and erected a new store on the site of 
the burned one, moving into it in August, 1907. He has 
one of the finest drug stores to be found outside of the 
cities. 

George N. Spaulding, jeweler, who had previously trav- 
elled over various parts of Maine, making freciuent visits 
to Harrison, located here about 1900, and opened a store 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 205 

in tlic drug store, occupying one side of the store. He 
remained there until 1903, when he removed to the "cor- 
ner store," where he carried on (|uite a business at bicy- 
cle repairing, in ackHtion to his watch repairing and jew- 
eler's business. In November, 1905, he moved into the 
store in the Grange I lall liiiilding, which had been especially 
fitted up for him. lie continued to occupy this store to 
the time of his recent death. John S. Wcntworth and bis 
son Lester also have a jewelry store in the building opposite 
their residence on the northerly part of Alain Street. They 
have carried on the business there for several years on a 
small scale, the father doing most of the work of late, 
as the son is constantly engaged in carpentering. 

Walter A. Soutbvvorth opened a clothing store in the 
Odd Fellows building in 1898, and occupied it until burned 
out in the great fire. In the same rooms he also carried 
on the undertaker's business in company with A. W. Libby, 
the firm name being Libby & Southworth. During some 
six months after the fire they had temporary quarters in 
the lower part of the Grange building, and have recently 
moved into the new store which has been fitted up for them 
in the new Odd Fellows Block. 

John F. .Mien opened a boot and shoe store in 1902, 
in the Dudley harness shop building to the north of the 
old Odd Fellows building. He occupied this until 1906, 
when he moved into a new store that had been fitted 
up for him in the north end of the Jordan Block, where 
he remained until burned out in the great fire. He occu- 
pied temporary quarters until last November, when he 
moved into his new store in the new Odd Fellows Block. 

The first meat market at the Village was carried on 
by Mclntire & Johnson of Waterford, and was opened 
in 1879 in the room under the old Peirce Hall. They were 
succeeded by F. H. Muller, and then came Frank H. Han- 
son of Bridgton, Orlando A. Kneeland, George S. Pitts, 
Marshall Jordan, Fernald & Durkey, and Silas C. Pitts, 



206 A HISTORY OF THE 

the present proprietor, who has been in the business for 
several years. 

Probably the first tailor, at the Village was Daniel Ol- 
ney, who married William H. Bailey's sister. He came 
here in 1844, and remained about two years. Major Wes- 
cott came next, and remained until i860. George Barker 
was carrying on the business here in 1853. Justus Butler 
kept a small stock of Yankee notions in the Maybury stand 
about 1850, sold clocks, and carried on the tailoring busi- 
ness. 

The millinery business was carried on here by Mrs. N. 
H. Towne as early as 1837, and as late as 1854. Mrs. 
Nathaniel Burnham was in the business here in 1858 
(perhaps earlier), and was here as late as 1863. She 
was. in a small building that stood south of the building 
now occupied by Miss Bradbury. She sold out to Miss 
Minerva Mason of Bethel, who carried it on about two 
years. ]Mrs. Susan C. Smith was in the millinery business 
from 1859 to 1868, and worked in a small store built on 
purpose for her, and which was later used by Mrs. Ricker 
and others. Mrs. Smith sold out to Mrs. Maria Ricker 
in 1868, and she carried it on for several years, and then 
sold out to Mrs. Marilla Foster, who was succeeded by 
Miss Clara Libby of North Bridgton. Mrs. Ricker again 
took the business after Miss Libby, and after carrying it 
on for a time sold to C. E. & E. M. Briggs. The building 
in which the business was carried on many years was 
burned some years ago. M. Jordan & Son conducted a 
millinery department in their store for some time in con- 
nection with their other interests, and it was continued by 
Jordan Bros. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 207 

MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL. 

It is difficult fixing exact dates of events which happened 
nearly a century ago, and it is equally hard to get the 
particulars of enterprises operated so long ago. The first 
establishment of any manufacturing after the settlement 
of the town was the saw and grist mills erected by James 
Sampson, the pioneer of Harrison Village, some after 1800, 
elsewhere described. The next mill was erected by Seth 
Carsley, 2nd (son of Nathan, ist) father of the wife of 
the late James G. Whitney, which was in operation in 
1826. It stood above the present Ricker's foundry, and 
is said to have been the building now used by the Rickers 
for a lumber shed. Mr. Carsley was a machinist in a 
small way ; also a maker of wooden plows, which were 
quite celebrated in their time. He invented a machine for 
turning shoe lasts and hat blocks, and went to Washington 
in his gig in the fall of 1829 for the purpose of securing a 
patent on his machine. Letters patent were duly issued 
under date of April 2, 1830, and the document, bearing 
the autographs of Andrew Jackson and Martin \'an Buren, 
is now in the possession of Mr. Carsley's descendants. 
Charles Burnham worked here at hat making in 1830. 

In 1834, Grinfill Blake and Charles Washburn started 
the wire making business on a small scale. In 1844, Charles 
Farley came from Portland and bought the v.'ire making 
factory and business. In 1848, Philander Tolman, an ex- 
pert workman, became a partner of Farley, under the firm 
name of Farley & Tolman, and continued the business until 
1853, when the firm was dissolved, and Charles and Al- 
fred Farley, sons of Charles, Sr., run the business for a 
time under the name of Charles Farley & Sons. In 1855, 
Jacob Hazen bought out the business and entered into part- 
nership with Philander Tolman, as manager, and continued 
to 1857, when Mr. Tolman, Franklin Walker and John 
W. Caswell, all experienced wire makers, purchased the 



208 A HISTORY OF THE 

business of Mr. Hazen and under the firm name of P. 
Tolman & Co., continued wire making very successfully 
till 1865, when they built a much larger mill, with facilities 
for doing a more extensive business than ever before, 
and continued until 1887, when the wire making business 
was closed ; many changes in the processes of making 
wire in other places causing wire making here to be un- 
profitable. The firm of P. Tolman & Co. was the largest 
in successful business (except that of T. H. Ricker & 
Sons) that has ever existed at Harrison. They were all 
men of the highest integrity and of fine capacity in all 
respects for a business requiring good mechanical genius 
and sound judgment. They passed away near the close 
of the century. Their histories will be found elsewhere 
in this volume. 

In 1834, David R. Morse moved here from Otisfield, 
and carried on a blacksmith shop, located at the corner, 
opposite the present shop of Albert S. Pitts. He also built 
a shingle mill soon after, and run it a few years. Luther 
Carman came from Oxford about 1845, ^-'i^l bought Morse's 
mill, also building a machine shop and foundry. About 
a year after he came, he sold the establishment to Robert 
Libby and worked for him as manager. T. H. Ricker 
came to Harrison from Oxford in 1848, and bought out 
Mr. Libby. Mr. Carman then bought the three story 
building opposite David Morse's (the present residence 
of Postmaster Lang) for a machine shop, and erected a 
building in the rear for a foundry, which was run by horse- 
power. 

In 1840, John Parsons commenced harness making here 
and continued in various locations till 1854, when he went 
South for the benefit of his wife's health. She did not 
recover, and he afterward located in Augusta, in the dry 
goods business. He was a good workman, a very indus- 
trious and thrifty man and an excellent citizen. He had 
two children, Maria and John. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 209 

Proiity and sons came from Worcester, Mass., about 
1852, and for about two years made steel music wire for 
pianos, under the name of Farley, Tolman & Co. Soon 
after T. H. Ricker commenced business in foundry work, 
he took his oldest son, Sherburne H., into partnership. For 
a number of years their leading business was making im- 
proved cast iron plows and horse power casting business, 
gradually extending their work to the building of stave 
threshers, stave sawing machines, planing machines, and 
eventually began the construction of circular saw mills, 
in which branch, they have had a wide demand for their 
work. Their first shop was burned in 1858, and was re- 
built at once and C. F. Ricker, another son of T. H. Ricker, 
was taken in as a partner. Alvin P. Ricker, a younger 
son, who . d worked many years in the shop was made a 
partner in 1885. T. H., the father and founder of the 
business, retired, and died in 1885, and Sherburne H. Ricker 
retired from the firm in 1881 ; leaving C. F. & A. P. 
the sole surviving members of the firm, who have con- 
tinued in the same line of manufacturing as before, under 
the old name of "T. H. Ricker & Sons." 

For about twenty or more years from 1821, when Squire 
Grinfill Blake came into possession of the mill property 
at Harrison, the mills were managed by the Blakes, and 
operated by different persons in their employ. When Mr. 
Farley became owner of the mills the same manner con- 
tinued. Daniel Scribner, for years a resident of the 
town, known as '"Uncle Daniel," was employed a number 
of years to run the grist mill and was a popular miller. 
In connection herewith it is in order to tell that "Uncle 
Daniel" was a man of much native wit and possessed a 
gift for making verses. Some of his impromptu produc- 
tions are extant. 

Mr. Jona. Ross, a venerable farmer from the south end 
of the town, had brought a grist of wheat to be ground 
into flour. In the process of bolting the fine flour, the 



210 A HISTORY OF THE 

"middlings" and the bran would be separated and come 
through, each into a place of its own. While "Uncle Dan- 
iel" was grinding the grist, Mr. Ross went out to the store 
to do a bit of trading, and the miller in the meantime had 
put up the grist in a meal-bag and having no other grind- 
ing to do, deposited the grist in Mr. Ross's sleigh, then 
locked the mill door and went to his home. But to save 
his friend any trouble, he wrote with a piece of chalk on 
the back of the sleigh : 

"Now, Mr. Ross, pray don't be cross. 
But take your grist and run ; 
You need not call ; you've got it all ; 
Both bags put into one." 

Captain Charles Libby succeeded Daniel Scribner as mil- 
ler. In 1847, John Wilkins succeeded Captain Libby. Mr. 
Wilkins owned the house afterward owned and occupied 
by Franklin Walker and his descendants to the present 
time. Hosea H. Huntress bought the "water privilege" of 
Farley and Tolman and built a salt and plaster mill. This 
was one of the best equipped mills in the State and Mr. 
Huntress did a thriving business grinding corn and all 
kinds of grain, salt and plaster till 1862, when he sold the 
mill to Samuel Gray, and James G. Whitney was employed 
to run the mill for Mr. Gray. In 1864, Mr. Gray sold 
the mill to P. Tolman & Co., and they used it as a grist 
mill until the spring of 1865, when it was removed to make 
room for the large new wire factory. In the same year 
Newell N. Caswell bought the mill stones and all other 
machinery that he could utilize and placed them in his new 
mill, erected on his site below the bridge close to the pond. 
That was a very valuable convenience for the people of 
the town and vicinity. Mr. Caswell did a large custom 
business as well as grinding a great amount of corn of 
his own for sale to everybody who wished to buy. He also 
dealt extensively in other kinds of feed used by stock 
owners, and grains for poultry feed. After the death of 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 211 

Mr. Caswell in 1896, Hollis H. Caswell, his son and suc- 
cessor, fitted up the mill with modern machinery, and with 
excellent facilities for doing a good business in connection 
with his large mercantile establishment, is prepared to sup- 
ply almost every want of the community. 

Alanson Cary had a fulling mill in the old Newell Cas- 
well building in 1835 ; it being then owned by the Blakes. 
Benjamin Clark, cabinet-maker, was in the same building 
in 1847, and earlier it is thought. He was a very in- 
genious man and an excellent musician. He had built a 
pipe organ previous to coming here, and it was brought 
here and set up in the Congregational Church and used 
a number of years. He removed from here to Island 
Pond, Vermont, about 185 1. He died in Albany, Maine, 
at the home of his brother, Daniel Clark, in the sixties. 
He was an uncle to Mr. F. R. Clark, milhnan and lumber 
dealer at Bolster's Mills. Daniel Clark, father of F. R. 
Clark, made sleighs at the Village at one time, some of 
which are in use at the present time. He died at his home 
in 1903, at the age of ninety-one. Cyrus Holden, of Otis- 
field, succeeded Benjamin Clark in cabinet-making trade. 
After about two years he removed to North Bridgton and 
carried on business for a time in company with Geo. H. 
Brown and Asa Potter, as Holden, Brown & Potter. 

In 1853, Lyman Caswell commenced making carriages 
in the rooms lately occupied by Clark and Holden and 
worked there at carriage building until his sickness and 
death in 1859. He was an excellent workman. 

Jonathan H. Illsley moved from Ellsworth to Harrison 
in 1854. He was a harness-maker by trade and John 
L. Bowden, who had been employed by Illsley in Ellsworth, 
came soon after and worked for him at the same business. 
Soon after Mr. Illsley went into trade. (See Merchants). 
In 1855, Bowden went into business for himself and had a 
shop on Front street a few doors from the old Peirce store. 
He was in that business about five years, part of the time 
in a shop on the site of the new Public Library. 



212 A HISTORY OF THE 

John Simpson came here in 1857, and worked at harness 
making. He died about 1859, and Samuel Walker, Jr., 
who had carried on custom shoe making for many years, 
succeeded Simpson, and carried on harness making in con- 
nection with his shoe business, being assisted by his son. 

Asa Harmon was here in 1850, and built the first house 
in the "Cove" the same afterward owned and occupied by 
Otis Haskell. Mr. Harmon was a noted house builder 
and erected many dwellings for his own use in a number of 
localities from Naples to Harrison. He was an active and 
energetic man and at intervals built several other houses 
on the Water ford road. He had two shops for shoe- 
making, one of them moved from North Bridgton, after- 
ward moved to a site near Bear Brook bridge and con- 
verted into a dwelling. 

In 1867, the Harrison Water Power Company erected 
a large mill on a fine site a little way up from the mouth 
of Bear Brook, which was known as the Bear River Woolen 
Mill. It was stocked with new machinery and leased to 
William H. Taylor in 1868, for three years. When in 
the fall of 1872 it was destroyed by fire, the mill was 
not rebuilt, and after lying idle for years the site and land 
adjacent were purchased by Pitts & Doughty in December, 
1904. 

Thomas D. Emery commenced manufacturing clothing 
in the spring of 1873, over the store of T. R. Sampson & 
Son. Reuben Hobbs and Almon Kneeland were in com- 
pany with him, under the firm name of Kneeland, Hobbs 
& Emery. They were in business together about one year. 
Then A. K. Morse bought Kneeland's and Hobbs' interest 
and the firm became Morse & Emery. They were to- 
gether about two years. Emery then bought Morse's in- 
terest and carried on the business alone until 1882, when 
Marshall Jordan bought an interest and built a large shop 
east of his store. The business was then carried on there 
under the firm name of Jordan & Emery about two years. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 213 

Dell Gerry bought Jordan's interest and the firm became 
Emery & Gerry. They were together a short time, then 
Emery carried it on alone until 1891. Then he moved 
the plant to Cornish. Maine. He came back in 1897, and 
carried on the business in rooms over Jordan's store until 
September, 1898. 

Pitts & Doughty do a large lumber business. They make 
a specialty of barrel staves, also manufacture apple barrels, 
employing quite a number of men. 



HOTELS. 



In the olden times the public houses were not known as 
hotels to the extent that they now are, in fact the word 
was seldom heard in those days. Then the man who kept 
a public house, or a house where entertainment was fur- 
nished "for man and beast," was said to "keep tavern," 
and was always spoken of as a "tavern keeper." In those 
days a taz'ern was run all the year round, and not for the 
benefit of summer visitors as many of them are at the 
present time. "City boarders," and "summer boarders" 
Vtfere unheard-of terms in the early days of our town, and 
those who kept the public houses kept them all the year 
round, and depended on the travel that went over the 
roads from place to place. In those days everything was 
hauled by teams. All the means of transportation that 
were known aside from the common teams were the oc- 
casional stage lines. The horse teams that hauled all of 



214 A HISTORY OF THE 

the freight furnished business for the tavern ; the people 
that were daily traveling over the roads with their own 
"horse and wagon" furnished business for them ; and 
the arrivals of the stages with their heavy loads of pas- 
sengers were events which were looked forward to, and 
for which the "tavern keeper" made due preparation. 

As far as we can learn "Deacon"' Lewis Smith kept the 
first "tavern" in Harrison Village, and it was in what is 
now known as "The (31(1 Tavern Stand," which was then 
just half of its present size, the northerly half of the 
house having been built on at a later date. The sign which 
then told the public that "Deacon" Smith kept "tavern" 
is still in existence, and it shows that the house was opened 
to the public in 1832. Very soon after tliis Otis Carter 
kept tavern in what is now known as the Ricker house, 
where T. H. Ricker resided many years. John P. Lowell 
succeeded Carter, and was in the house in 1836. We have 
good reason to suppose that Reuben Ingalls followed Dea- 
con Smith in the "Old Tavern Stand," or Dawes house, 
as Ingalls' sign, which is still in e.xistence, bears the date 
of 1844. At about this time the Odd Fellows were using 
rooms in this house for their meetings, it being before they 
had their hall in the old "Temple." A good story is told 
of how a certain candidate was nearly scared to death 
by a waggish outside guard. This candidate had paid 
in his money, been voted on and duly accepted, and the 
night in (|ucstion was when he was to pass the dreaded 
ordeal which was to make him a member of the L O. O. 
F. lie had been admitted to the ante-room to wait for 
the time to come. While he was waiting the outside guar- 
dian opened a door leading from the ante-room to some 
room connected with the tavern proper, and spoke very 
quietly to some one, supposed to be the "girl." Said he, 
"Heat those irons considerably hotter than usual, for we 
have got a pretty tough subject to deal with tonight." 
Of course the candidate was listening "with all his might," 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 215 

and heard the words, as it was intended that he should, 
and his hair almost rose on end. "By thunder !" he ex- 
claimed, "They won't use no such things on me," and 
he made a flying leap through the outer door, and was 
gone before the guard could stop him. It is said that he 
never got up courage sufficient to be initiated. 

Mr. Ingalls remained in the house till 1847, after which 
a Mr. Stevens kept it for a while. After him John Dawes, 
the owner and builder of the house became the landlord. 
In 1848, Mr. Dawes built the addition to the house which 
doubled it in size. He continued in charge of the house 
till 1854, when Jacob V. R. Kilborn took it, and was its 
landlord for about three years. Josiah Briggs was in the 
house before the end of 1856, and remained there until 
1858, when he was replaced by Almon Kneeland. The 
latter gentleman was in charge of the house till i860, when 
he bought the Francis Blake stand, which he converted into 
a public house, and took charge of it in person, remaining 
as the landlord of the Elm House until his death in 1884. 
Then his son, Orlando A., was its landlord about a year, 
and then sold out his business to his brother David, who 
has been constantly in charge of the house until the present 
time. "The Elms," as the house is known at present, is 
well and favorably known to the public, and everybody that 
stops with "David" is sure to be satisfied, if good treat- 
ment will satisfy them. 

After Almon Kneeland left the "Old Tavern Stand" 
George Walker was the landlord for a short time, after 
which Elisha Newcomb took charge, and was the land- 
lord from 1861 to 1864. Next, Peabody Kneeland was 
there about two years. John Hale was the landlord in 1865, 
after which the house was closed to the public, and has 
since been used as a tenement house. 

A few years ago Orlando A. Kneeland bought the Har- 
rison Blake stand — later known as the Silas Blake stand 
— and fitted it up as a summer hotel, running it as 



2l6 A HISTORY OF THE 

such for two years. He then gave it up on account of a 
more favorable chance elsewhere, and John C. Edgerly 
leased the house, and run a summer hotel for two or three 
years, known as the "Crystal Lake Cottage," it being 
situated on shore of "Crystal Lake," which was better 
known in past years as Anonymous Pond. It is finely 
situated, and commands a fine view of water and moun- 
tain scenery, as those who attended the Centennial Celebra- 
tion in 1905 can testify, the exercises being held on the 
grounds adjoining. In 1906 the "Cottage" was sold to 
A. C. Brooks, who has run a summer hotel there since. 
"The Harrison," a summer hotel, was built in 1906 by 
a syndicate, of whom the Harrison members are F. H. 
Ricker and John C. Edgerly. The Samuel Gray place, 
opposite the Congregational Church was purchased, and 
the new hotel was built in the field to the south of the house. 
It was put in the charge of J. C. Edgerly, who has run 
it in 1906-07. 



Naming a Hotel. 
In the olilen times it was customary to have some one 
name a frame when it was raised, and this "name" was 
generally in rhyme. The following verses, that were evi- 
dently read at the raising of some hotel in Harrison, have 
come accidentally into our hands. We do not know who 
the author was, nor upon what occasion they were read, 
but the manuscript bears ample evidence of age: 

Harrison Hotel. 
Here on this pleasant site 

A noble frame is raised, — 
The timbers came together well, 

I'll give the workmen praise. 

Unto the workmen praise is due, — 

The work it is well done. 
It is well braced on every side, 

And is both square and plumb. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 217 

Now may the owner still go on, 

And finish what's begun, 
And furnish it from side to side, 

And fill it well when done. 

This is erected for an inn, 

As I do understand ; 
May he an able landlord prove 

As any in the land. 

As trading long has been his lot, 

Should he the same pursue. 
May all he deals with pay their scot, 

So he may never sue. 

And as he prospers well in goods 

May it always be his care — 
The naked clothe, the hungry feed, 

With what he has to spare. 

And may he be the poor man's friend 
Whene'er he stands in need — 

The widow and the fatherless 
Here find a friend indeed. 

Long may the owner prosper here, 

And be forever blessed ; 
Here may the hungry one find food. 

The weary traveler rest. 

And as this is a house of rest, 

May travelers often tell 
They long to find that pleasant place 

Called "Harrison Hotel." 

A creditable tradition says the foregoing verses were 
recited at the raising of the house long owned and occu- 
pied by the late Timothy H. Ricker, of which Otis Carter 
was the builder and first landlord. 



2l8 A HISTORY OF THE 



FIRES IN HARRISON. 



While Harrison has had many minor fires it has been 
extremely lucky in the matter of great conflagrations. Pre- 
vious to the great fire at the Village in May, 1907, the 
largest was when the Hamilton barns and outbuildings 
were burned on the night of August 18, 1883. These 
bams were situated in South Harrison, and were on the 
"Thomes farm," which James H. Hamilton purchased of 
Samuel Thomes in September, 1878. The buildings were sit- 
uated on the westerly side of the road, and directly opposite 
to the houses, and consisted of two large barns, a good 
sized stable, and carriage house, and extensive outbuildings 
containing hog-pens, workshop, corn chamber, store rooms, 
etc., all connected together. The "cow barn," so called, 
was the nearest to the road, and stood end to it. The "ox 
barn," connected with the westerly end of the cow barn, 
and faced the road, there being a large barnyard in the 
angle between the two. At the extreme southwesterly cor- 
ner of the ox barn was a large shed projecting into the field, 
and filled with straw and other combustible material. 

Between 11 and 12 o'clock of the night of August 18, 
1883, Mr. Hamilton was awakened from a sound sleep by 
the light of fire shining into his room, and springing from 
bed and looking out he beheld the flames rising from the 
shed on the back of the ox barn ,and just coming up over 
the roof of the barn. The ox barn was empty as far as 
cattle were concerned but the other barn was full, and 
several horses were in the stable. Hastily donning a few 
clothes, Hamilton and his two hired men rushed to the 
barn, their first thought being to save the animals. By 
quick work all of the cattle were freed, and turned loose 
into the road to wander at will, and a curious feature of 
the affair was that one of the hired men worked with such 
deliberation that he carefully himg up the tie-chains as the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 2ig 

animals were released, although the fire was so close that 
it had driven across the roof of the ox barn, and was 
breaking through in the cow barn when the last animal was 
turned into the road. Next the horses were freed, and 
Hamilton turned his attention to the house, while the others 
were endeavoring to save what property they could from 
the stable and outbuildings, which were packed full. Ham- 
ilton was a large, powerful man, and at the start he would 
dash a large pail of water on the roof of the porch so 
strongly that it went against the chimney. By this time 
neighbors began to arrive in goodly numbers, and lent ready 
hands in securing all property possible, and striving to save 
the houses from the fliames. Harnesses, carriages, and 
other property were quickly removed from the burning 
buildings by a part of the men, while the others organized 
into "bucket brigades," and worked with a will, wetting 
down the houses, some of them going onto the roof when 
it was so hot that they were obliged to shelter themselves 
on the back side, or keep their clothing saturated with water. 
No attempt was made to combat the fires in the barns, 
for all knew that it would be useless with the apparatus 
that there was to fight fire with, it being simply a plenty 
of water, a goodly supply of buckets and pails and willing 
hands to handle them. The whole lot of buildings, includ- 
ing some one hundred and twenty-five tons of hay soon 
became a seething mass of flames, and it was almost a 
miracle that it was not so hot as to drive the men, but 
with great heroism, they refused to be driven, and they 
were assisted by the fact that there was very little wind. 
The two barns, the large stable, and the long line of out- 
buildings with the contents, made a fire that did not burn 
itself out in a short time, and it was 4 a. m. before the men 
were able to say that the houses were safe, and take a 
breathing spell. The house had been partly cleared of its 
contents before it was decided that there was a good chance 
to save it, and almost as soon as it was declared to be 



220 A HISTORY OF THE 

safe, rain began to fall and the tired fire fighters had to 
turn their attention to putting the contents of the house 
back again to save them from being harmed by the rain. 
This was quickly done, and then closer investigation showed 
that the house was intact, save a little blistered paint, and 
that the chief damage on that side of the road consisted 
of the ruined shade trees in front of the house, which 
had been a material protection to it. But on the other 
side of the road the ruin was complete, and the whole mass 
of farm buildings, with one hundred and twenty-five tons 
of hay, and a portion of the other contents which there 
was no chance to remove, were in ashes, and the worst 
feature of the affair was that it was found upon investiga- 
tion that the insurance had lapsed only a few days before 
to the extent that the policies that were in force gave the 
owner only about $800, while the loss was probably not less 
than $7,500. One good-sized barn was left, situated some 
distance from the others and this was fitted up for the 
shelter of such stock as the owner saw fit to winter with 
the small amount of fodder that was left, and such as he 
cared to buy, and it made very comfortable quarters for 
the much reduced stock. Early in the next spring, work 
was begun on a new barn, and the result was like the 
final result of many fires — that it was a benefit in giving 
the farm much better barn room, it being all under one 
roof, and the barn when finished, being the largest one 
under one roof that was then to be found in the State, 
it being 156.x 50 in size, and constructed in first-class shape. 
The present owner, J. Howard Randall, has put in a more 
solid foundation, put in water driven by a wind-mill, and 
made other improvements, and the barn as it stands has 
few superiors in the State. The farm has since been sold 
to Pitts & Merrow, the particulars of which will be noted 
elsewhere. The origin of the fire was never known, but 
it must have been incendiary of some kind, all kinds of 
wild stories were afloat, but no one ever knew the truth. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 221 

Since that fire tliere have been no serious ones until the 
great conflagration of May, 1907, which though of so recent 
a date as to be fresh in the minds of all, should be given 
a space in this history in order that there shall be a per- 
manent record of the most important, and most disastrous 
event in the history of the town. 

The greater part of the business portion of Harrison 
Village was situated on what might be described as a square, 
on which were the following buildings : On the back side 
was the great plant of the C. S. Whitney chair factory, 
connected with a large saw mill, the whole filled with com- 
bustible material, much of it of a large value, and a big 
stock of sawed lumber in the yard, and also an immense 
pile of wood, while still further towards the mill pond 
was the foundry and machine shop of T. H. Ricker & 
Sons. Standing on the road leading to the mill nearer to 
the main road was the large house of Postmaster Lang, 
with the furniture store of C. S. Whitney directly oppo- 
site, and the house of Geo. Flint and Pitt's blacksmith shop 
between that and the street. On the front of the square 
was the Reform Hall with the post-office on the first floor 
and the Harrison Public Library on the second, the large 
store of F. H. Ricker, and the Jordan Block, containing 
the stores of J. T. Kneeland, Jordan Bros., and J. F. Allen. 
On the northerly side was the Baptist Church ; and directly 
beyond and almost touching was the large Odd Fellows 
Block containing the Odd Fellows Hall, the drug store 
of C. W. Jackson, and the clothing store and undertaking 
rooms of W. A. Southworth ; and still beyond this a small 
empty building formerly used as a harness store. In the 
center of the square was the large blacksmith shop and ma- 
chine shop of G. W. Roes, and just beyond and almost touch- 
ing it was the engine house and dry house of the chair 
factory establishment. The Village was without any sort 
of a fire engine except a small hand affair which was but lit- 
tle more effective than a common fire extinguisher, a small 



222 A HISTORY OF THE 

pump at the mill of H. H. Caswell, and another at the chair 
factory, which was of no avail in this fire. 

At about 7.30 o'clock on the evening of May 14, 1907, 
fire was discovered issuing from the boiler house and dry 
house of the chair factory establishment situated in the 
center of the square, and directly connected with the other 
buildings of the plant. The first man to reach the burning 
building attempted to blow the whistle to alarm the people, 
but found that the cord was burned off, but the alarm was 
given to the people in the Village and flashed by telephone 
over all the surrounding country, and not only did the in- 
habitants of the Village quickly respond, but the people from 
"all the country round" came pouring into the Village, com- 
ing from long distances away. The first to reach the scene 
saw at once that there was a most serious situation before 
them, and that no power that was within the limits of Harri- 
son \''illage could by any possibility save any of the buildings 
within the limits of the four streets, except possibly the 
residence of Postmaster Lang, and that this was very doubt- 
ful. There was a plenty of water, but nothing but pails 
and buckets to throw it with that would reach the fire. 
The only thing to be done was to make the best possible 
fight to save the buildings beyond the immediate vicinity 
of the square, and the Lang house which was regarded as 
of vital importance in preventing the spread of the flames 
across the street. Mr. Caswell very quickly got his force 
pump in operation, and found that it would throw water 
over the front of the Grange Hall, and would drench the 
house of Ralph Burnham just beyond, he could also reach 
the front of the Odd Fellows building, but it would not 
reach the part where the fire would take from the other 
buildings and the stream was too small to cope success- 
fully with a fire that was well started. Undoubtedly the 
Grange Llall and Burnham's house were saved by this pump 
and the heroic little crew that manned the hose and stood 
by as long as there was any danger in that direction. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 223 

Finding that there was good protection in that direction, 
and that certain buildings were doomed beyond all doubt, 
the crowd devoted its whole power to what they regarded 
as the keys to the whole situation, the saving of the Lang 
buildings, and those of Howard L. Sampson directly op- 
posite the Jordan Block. Fire brigades were quickly or- 
ganized with buckets, pails and ladders, and went to work. 
The roof of the Sampson house was almost hissing hot 
when the men went onto it, and it is said that of the first 
few pails of water that were dashed over it not a drop 
reached the ground. It was a hot position, but the gal- 
lant crew was not to be driven from their position. Left 
to its work without opposition, the fire ran with almost 
incredible swiftness through the whole plant of the chair 
company, including the saw mill, jumped across the narrow 
space to the Roes machine shop, and from that to the 
church on one side, and the Jordan Block on the other. 

In the meantime, seeing the terrible danger that menaced 
the whole Village, the town authorities telephoned to Bridg- 
ton for assistance, and after much delay, were assured 
that help would be sent at once, but the work of de- 
struction went on, and the fire rapidly spread through 
all the buildings on all sides of the square, except the Lang 
house which had so far been protected by the efforts of 
the "bucket brigades." In some of the stores no efl^ort 
was made to remove the contents, and in others a portion 
were removed in a damaged condition. A part of the par- 
aphernalia of the Odd Fellows lodges had been rescued, 
•and a part of the books. Pres. Chapman of the Harri- 
son Public Library, went heroically at work to remove the 
books, and succeeded in removing all but a few that could 
have been taken at one trip, which trip could not be taken 
on account of the fire breaking through the stairway as 
he started up. Nearly everything had been removed from 
the post-office, the postmaster and his level-headed wife 
devoting their whole attention to that regardless of their 



224 A HISTORY OF THE 

own home, and guarding the mail in the street until the fate 
of their buildings was decided. And for a time those 
buildings were in a most precarious position, and the cru- 
cial test was when the great heat from the adjoining build- 
ings, only a few feet away, caused fire to catch in the ex- 
treme peak of the gable of the stable. What was to be 
done? No one could throw water to that height by hand 
nor from any ladder that could be placed against any point 
of the buildings. Attempts were made to stave off the 
boards so that some one could reach through in the vi- 
cinity of the fire, but for a time when moments were of 
all importance they resisted all efforts. But a small crew 
reached the roof, and a boy from a neighboring town, a 
mere stripling, proved himself the hero of the occasion by 
creeping along the ridgepole, hanging almost by nothing 
and leaning out over the end where he was in great danger 
of falling to the ground beneath, and dashing water directly 
onto the flames which streamed almost into his face. The 
water did the work, and the building was saved, and another 
hero who was only a small boy, had proved himself worthy 
to have his name "writ high within the temple of fame." 

In the meantime where was the Bridgton Fire Department 
and its engine? Anxious eyes were vainly watching for 
its appearance, for, though the gallant fire fighters were 
doing heroic work in confining the flames to the buildings 
that had been regarded as doomed from the start, no one 
knew what might happen, especially if the wind, which had 
died out at sunset, should chance to start up again. At 
length the engine was driven into the Village, and a stream 
was played on the fire to wet down the embers so that a 
possible rising of the wind should not cause it to break out 
in some other place where sparks might be driven. 

The fight was over, and by midnight all serious danger of 
any further spread of the fire was past. The results could 
now be summed up, by what was seen. The whole plant 
of the chair company was wiped out of existence, includ- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 225 

ing an immense stock of finished and unfinished furniture, 
and not a cent of insurance on the property. The earn- 
ings of a Hfetime of one of our most enterprising and go- 
ahead citizens had gone so quickly that the extent of the 
loss could not be realized until there was time for mature 
reflection. The Roes blacksmith and carriage shop was 
destroyed together with all of its outfit of tools and ma- 
chinery. The Jordan Block, containing the stores of J. T. 
Kneeland, Jordan Bros., and J. F. Allen on the first floor, 
and a tenement on the second one, was totally destroyed 
together with all the stock of the first two mentioned stores. 
The old Baptist Church was in ashes, and also the fine Odd 
Fellows Block with their hall and the greater part of the 
paraphernalia, furniture and records of the Odd Fellow and 
Rebekah Lodges, and the stores of C. W. Jackson and W. A. 
Southworth, and quite a portion of their contents, F. H. 
Ricker's large store and a part of the stock, and the Re- 
form Club Hall, and a few of the library books. The whole 
story can be summed up in a sentence: Good judges es- 
timated that the total loss was at least $75,000, and the 
insurance paid to all parties was less than $20,000, so that 
the actual loss was over $55,000, to say nothing of that 
which would be suiifered from the interruption of the busi- 
ness of the various firms, and the men who were, for a 
time at least, thrown out of employment. As has well been 
said it was a staggering blow to the village, and some even 
went so far as to predict that it was the end of its pros- 
perity. But such ones did not count on the pluck and en- 
ergy of our business men, for plans for rebuilding were 
being made before the ashes of the ruins were cold, and 
they were plans that were not air castles, but were real 
and tangible as the new buildings now in evidence give 
ample proof. As the senior partner in the dry goods firm 
of Jordan Bros had recently secured a position as travel- 
ing salesman it was decided that it was not advisable to 
start into business again, but the other traders secured 



226 A HISTORY OF THE 

temporary quarters, and were in position to serve customers 
before the end of a week, and in a very short space of 
time had made arrangements for better quarters than those 
which had been destroyed. The proprietor of the chaii 
factory was the first man to begin work of rebuilding, 
thougli on a much smaller scale for the present. The chair 
factory plant is conspicuous by its absence, yet the whole 
site is not vacant. Mr. Whitney has erected a substantial 
two story mill where he manufactures a novel product, 
wooden boot heels, as well as doing a general business in 
long lumber. It is the hope, perhaps not unfounded either, 
that this smaller establishment is but the forerunner of that 
larger factory that shall give employment to the same num- 
ber of men as worked for Mr. Whitney in the years before. 
The building of Charles W. Jackson is next approached. 
It is a substantial two story structure which Mr. Jackson 
occupies for a drug store and a dwelling. The store is a 
model in all its appurtenances. Its fi.xtures and fittings 
throughout are such as would do credit to any city, and 
the genial Mr. Jackson on a recent day met the writer 
with not a trace of care to suggest that he was other than 
most prosperous in his new and sumptuous quarters. At 
the upper extremity of the square is Mr. F. H. Ricker's 
new building. Like Mr. Jackson's it is both a store (gro- 
cery) and dwelling. Mr. Ricker's former store was con- 
venient, but his present one combines all that made the 
first desirable and innumerable improvements suggested to 
the builder by his many years in active business. At a 
glance it will be seen that in the instances quoted thus far, 
the village of Harrison profited rather than suffered, at 
least in the housing of two of its merchants. 



TOWX OF HARRISON. 227 



CHAPTER VIII. 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



.S 



ODD FELLOWS AND REBEKAHS. 

E\'ERAL fraternal and beneficiary organizations have 
*^^ existed in Harrison since its corporation, all of which 
have been "secret" to a greater or less extent. Only a few 
have ever gained a permanent foothold, but the underlying 
principle has always been popular with our people, there 
having been but very few of our prominent citizens who 
have not at some time been connected with one or more of 
these associations, either in this, or in neighboring towns. 
The war that has at times been made upon all "secret soci- 
eties" by a very small minority has had but very little to do 
with the demise of any society of this kind in this vicinity. 
Indeed an attack of this kind is very apt to increase the 
membership of any organization that it seeks to destroy. 

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal 
benevolent order that has a strong organization at this place, 
and has been very popular hereabouts for many years, al- 
though a lodge has not had a continuous existence here. 
The first lodge to be established here was Harrison Lodge, 
No. 20, which was instituted here on October 3, 1844, with 
thirty-five charter members, as follows: 

Charter AIembers of Harrison Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F. 
Francis Blake, Cyril Pearl, 

Jacob Hazen, Algernon S. Howe, 

Thomas H. Mead, Samuel Riggs, 



228 A HISTORY OF THE 

Reuben Ingalls, Amos P. Foster, 

Hiram Cushman, Obededom Brown, 

C. C. W. Sampson, Benjamin K. Carsley, 

Alanson M. Thomes, Robert H. Libby, 

Marshall Thomes, William T. Kilborn, 

Stephen T. Whitney, Thomas F. Parley, 

Samuel Scribner, George Hall, 

Benjamin Clark, Joseph W. Dresser, 

Benjamin Walker, John W. Fowler, 

William W. Cross, Albion Dennett, 

Samuel Andrews, 2nd, Washington Bray, 

Lewis Brigham, Charles T. Howe, 

George F. Foster, Abner F. Knights, 

Robert Johnson, Calvin F. Brigham, 
Nathan Hilton, Jr. 

This Lodge had various troubles, financially and other- 
wise, and it became necessary to surrender their charter, 
which was done in 1849, or 1850. But the principles of 
the Order had obtained a hold here which could not be 
broken by the surrender of a charter, and many of our 
citizens subsequently joined the Cumberland Lodge at Bridg- 
ton. 

Later on it became evident that there were many in Har- 
rison who would join a lodge there, but would not go to 
Bridgton on account of the distance. Finally the matter 
of dividing the Cumberland Lodge and organizing another 
lodge at Harrison was talked of, and took tangible form 
in 1888. Cumberland Lodge had become so large and rich 
that the taking away of the members who wished to go 
into a lodge here would not make a serious inroad upon 
its numbers and the withdrawal of the funds which would 
naturally go with these members would be hardly missed 
from the treasury. Nearly every member who resided in 
Harrison or Otisfield favored the project, and a canvass 
showed that quite a number who were regarded as de- 
sirable members were ready to join a lodge at Harrison 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 229 

soon after it was instituted. The movement was generally 
regarded as one that would eventually benefit the Order 
more than the existence of the Cumberland Lodge alone 
could do, and arrangements were soon made for the di- 
vision. 

As soon as the matter was regarded as settled an arrange- 
ment was made with Mr. A. K. Morse for the renting 
of the hall in the upper part of the new building which he 
was about to erect, and immediately after the organization 
the hall was rented for a term of ten years, and the lodge 
continued to rent it of him until his death. 

The hall being completed and furnished, the Grand Of- 
ficers were summoned. The Lodge was instituted on the 
evening of March 14, 1889, the following Grand Officers 
being present : — Grand Master, Henry C. Bagley ; Deputy 
Grand Master, Alfred S. Kimball ; Grand Secretary, Josh- 
ua Davis : Grand Marshal, George D. Loring. A large 
delegation from Cumberland Lodge was also present. 

Charter Members. 

James P. Lown, Alvin P. Ricker, 

George S. Pitts, Charles E. Dawes, 

John Walker, Albert F. Davis, 

Nathaniel H. Seavey, Joseph H. Purington, 

Alanson Dawes, George S. Marr, 

Frank Nevers, Herbert O. Kneeland, 

Albert S. Pitts, Almore Haskell, 

David Kneeland, Benjamin S. Skillings, 

William H. Allen, Theodore M. Tolman, 

Albert F. Chute, Thomas P. Sampson, 

George W. Roes, Charles N. Harmon, 

William IT. Foster, Charles L. Walker, 

Henry L. Purington, Ira A. Kneeland, 

Edward Bray, Frank A. Chute, 

George Wilbur, Edward K. Whitney, 

Marshall Jordan, Charles S. Whitney, 
J. W. Weston. 



230 A HISTORY OF THE 

Seven more members subsequently withdrew from Cum- 
berland Lodge, making forty (40) in all. 

The following were the officers of the new Lodge: 
Noble Grand — James P. Lown. 
V'ice Grand — Nathaniel H. Seavey. 
Recording Secretary — George S. Pitts. 
Permanent Secretary — Charles L. Walker. 
Treasurer — Alvin P. Ricker. 
Warden — Frank Nevers. 
Conductor — William H. Foster. 
Chaplain — Edward Bray. 
Inside Guardian — George Wilbur. 
Outside Guardian — Ira A. Kneeland. 

After the transaction of the necessary business, includ- 
ing the election and installation of the officers, David E. 
Caswell, Alphonso Moulton, Adelbert C. Buck, and Harry 
H. Emery were duly initiated into the rights and mysteries 
of Odd Fellowship. George E. Tarbo.x and Abel C. Hinds 
were initiated on March 29th. Dr. H. H. Cole and Charles 
C. Doughty had received the initiatory degree at Bridgton 
previous to the formation of the new Lodge, but took cards 
of withdrawal and joined the new organization which was 
known as Harrison Lodge, No. 41. This made a class of 
eight that took the first degree on April 5th, and the other 
degrees on April 12th and 19th. 

The sum of $20 for each member granted card of with- 
drawal had been voted by Cumberland Lodge, giving the 
Lodge the sum of $800 from this source alone. Of course 
a large sum had to be paid for the necessary furniture and 
outfit, but the first report of the Treasurer showed a sur- 
plus of $121.45, snd each report up to the time of the great 
fire of May 14, 1907, showed an increase in the value of 
the property of the Lodge. 

In 1902, the Lodge bought the building in which the 
hall was situated, and later made large additions to it in 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 23 1 

the shape of a large banquet hall on the third floor, addi- 
tional ante-rooms on the second floor, and more rooms for 
stores on the first floor. It was one of the best buildings 
in the village, furnishing plenty of room for three stores 
on the ground floor, and good quarters for the Lodge, and 
also for the Rebekah Lodge, on the second and third floors. 

The Lodge received constant accessions to membership, 
and this was especially true during the years 1905-6. The 
fund in the treasury increased to such an extent that at 
the beginning of 1907, there was enough to more than can- 
cel the indebtedness on the building, so that the Lodge was 
virtually out of debt, and the members congratulated them- 
selves on the prosperous condition of their organization. 
On the evening of May 14, 1907, fire broke out in the 
village, and before it could be checked the Odd Fellows 
building and all of the adjoining property on that side of 
the street were destroyed. All of the furniture, the greater 
part of the paraphernalia, and a portion of the records, were 
also consumed. 

It was a terrible blow to the Lodge, and for some time 
the members were in much doubt as to what course was 
the best to pursue. Their home and its furnishings was 
gone, and they had only a comparatively small insurance 
with which to begin to build a new hall. Of course there 
was no question as to the continuation of the Lodge, for 
that was bound to live and the real question to meet was 
as to what kind of a home its new one was to be. After 
mature deliberation it was decided to build a structure that 
should be, not only good quarters for the Lodge, but a 
building that the whole town would be proud of, and that 
should be a source of some income from the rental of the 
stores on the first floor. 

The old lot was not large enough for the projected build- 
ing, and the first step was to dispose of that and buy 
one that would furnish the required room. Charles W. 
Jackson, the druggist, bought the old lot, and the Lodge 



232 A HISTORY OF THE 

purchased the Jordan lot, the owners having decided not 
to rebuild if they could be assured that a suitable building 
could be erected in the place of their burned block. Other 
parties in need of rent at once agreed to occupy rooms in 
the proposed new building to such an extent as to fur- 
nish warrant for beginning the work, and it was begun early 
in the summer under the supervision of a Building Com- 
mittee, consisting of William H. Briggs, Oliver N. Abbott, 
and Frank P. Bennett, and was hastened with all possible 
dispatch. 

The building now standing completed on the site of the 
burned Jordan block is the fruit of their labors, and a noble 
structure that the whole town, and especially the citizens 
of the Village, are justly proud of. It is one hundred and 
twenty feet in length, fronting on the main street, the 
easterly half being sixty feet wide, and the westerly half 
thirty-four feet wide. The lower floor contains rooms for 
five stores and the post-office, the latter having by far the 
best and most commodious quarters that the Harrison 
post-office has ever had. Three of the stores were at once 
occupied when completed by W. A. Southworth, J. T. 
Kneeland, and John F. Allen, and each one has better 
quarters than before the fire. 

The upper floor of the block is occupied entirely by the 
Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges, and consists of a IMain 
Hall 45 X 38 in size ; a Banquet Hall, 34 x 37, with large 
kitchen adjoining; four large ante-rooms, and a spacious 
smoking room ; all finished and furnished in fine style, 
and all helping to make up one of the best Odd Fellows 
Halls in the State. This building was duly dedicated on 
February 26, 1908, and the occasion called out the largest 
gathering of Odd Fellows ever seen in Harrison. Grand 
Master J. R. Townsend, together with eight other dignita- 
ries of the Grand Lodge, was present, and the impressive 
ceremonies of dedication were carried out in full in the pres- 
ence of an audience that filled all available space in the 






> 




TOWN OF HARRISON. 233 

large hall, with many standing in the doorways. Following 
the ceremonies were able and effective speeches by the 
Grand Officers, with a Grand Banquet in early evening 
concluding with the regulation toasts and responses, about 
two hundred and fifty being seated at the tables. Later a 
Grand Dedication Ball ended the celebration of the com- 
pletion of the beautiful home of the Harrison Odd Fel- 
lows. 

Though this work has burdened the Lodge with a large 
debt, the members are full of hope and enthusiasm, and 
have full warrant for being pleased with the situation, 
as the Lodge has now more members than ever before, 
and new ones are fast joining. The total membership at 
the present writing is about one hundred and forty, with 
a good prospect of a still further increase in the immediate 
future. 

Eleven members have died since the formation of the 
Lodge, viz. : Marshall Thomes, Edward Bray, Edward K. 
Whitney, Charles N. Harmon, Newell A. Trafton, Marshall 
Jordan, Horatio H. Cole, Emery D. Harmon, Frank A. 
Chute, A. Mellen Thomes, and Benjamin S. Skillings. 

The following members have been Noble Grands of the 
Lodge in the order given below : 

James P. Lown, J. Wallace Caswell, 

Nathaniel H. Seavey, Ralph E. Burnham, 

Albert F. Davis, Samuel O. Stuart, 

William H. Foster, Adelbert C. Buck, 

George S. Pitts, Silas C. Pitts, 

George W. Roes, James T. Kneeland, 

Alphonso Moulton, Hermon V. Kneeland, 

George E. Tarbox, Frank P. Bennett, 

Charles B. Sylvester, W'alter A. Southworth, 

Hollis H. Caswell, Charles C. Doughty, 

Henry L. Purington, Oscar L. Tracy, 
Frank L. Fogg. 



234 A HISTORY OF THE 

The officers of the Lodge for the present year are as 
follows : 

Noble Grand — Frank L. Fogg. 
Vice Grand — Edwin P. Stearns. 
Permanent Secretary — J. Will Davis. 
Financial Secretary — Fred C. Greene. 
Treasurer ■ — Albert S. Pitts. 
Warden — William P. Smith. 
Conductor • — Samuel O. Stuart. 
Chaplain — Walter C. Jordan. 
Outside Guardian — Marshall H. Pitts. 
Inside Guardian — George A. Flint. 
R. S. N. G. — Walter A. Southworth. 
L. S. N. G. — Oliver N. Abbott. 
R. S. V. G. — Hermon V. Kneeland. 
L. S. V. G. — Ernest G. Marcque. 
R. S. S. — Benj. W. Harmon. 
L. S. S. — Ernest L. Davis. 

The Rebekah degree for women was not established 
until some thirty years after Odd Fellowship was founded 
in the United States, and when Harrison Lodge of Odd 
Fellows was instituted it was not regarded as of so much 
importance as it is thought to be today. It is intended 
to bring the benefits of the Order within the reach of the 
females of the families of the members, but it is much more 
than that, for it is an important auxiliary of the main 
Order, as has been amply proved by what has been done 
by the lodge at Harrison, which was not established for 
more than three years after the Lodge of Odd Fellows was 
founded. 

Woodland Rebekah Lodge, No. 42, was instituted on 
Monday evening, June 27, 1892, by the Grand Officers, 
with seventy-three charter members, as follows : 

Charter Members. 
George S. Pitts, David Kneeland, 

James G. Fogg, Edward G. Tarr, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



235 



Chas. C. Doughty, 
N. H. Seavey, 
Caroline Kneeland, 
Lizzie A. Doughty, 
AHce M. Bennett, 
Marcia O. Seavey, 
Vertie T. Sampson, 
Lillian L. Seavey, 
Gertrude E. Foster, 
George W. Roes, 
George E. Tarbox, 
George E. Ellingwood, 
Frank W. Cummings, 
Alanson Dawes, 
Ira A. Kneeland, 
Quincy M. Chute, 
H. O. Kneeland, 
Annie E. Tarbox, 
H. Lizzie Caswell, 
Ella E. Thomes, 
Ella A. Kneeland, 
Nancy J. Stone, 
Henry L. Purington, 
Jennie E. Kneeland, 
Annah Whitney, 
Alphonso Moulton, 
Adelbert C. Buck, 
Alice Pitts, 
Edith L. Caswell, 
George P. Carsley, 
Fred D. Learned, 
Almore Haskell, 
Frank H. Sampson, 
Wm. H. Foster, 

Abbie M. 



Alvin P. Ricker, 
Frank P. Bennett, 
Albert F. Davis, 
Eliza A. Pitts, 
Juliette Lang, 
Fannie M. Ricker, 
Meda A. Davis, 
Clara M. Caswell, 
Grace M. Seavey, 
Lizzie G. Winslow, 
Albert S. Pitts, 
A. B. Kneeland, 
C. H. Ellingwood, 
Albert S. Kneeland, 
Frank C. Stone, 
H. W. Welts, 
David E. Caswell, 
James Thomes, 
Zula A. Kneeland, 
Annie M. Ellingwood, 
Melissa D. Chute, 
Lucy A. Welts, 
Clara A. Roes, 
Abbie Kneeland, 
Abbie F. Purington, 
Charles S. Whitney, 
Bessie C. Ellingwood, 
Etta A. Moulton, 
Alice M. Buck, 
Hollis H. Caswell, 
Hattie E. Harmon, 
Charles J. Thornton, 
Nellie G. Learned, 
Lena M. Haskell, 
Dawes. 



236 A HISTORY OF THE 

The following members were elected as the officers of 
this Lodge : 

Noble Grand — Albert F. Davis. 
Vice Grand — Lizzie A. Doughty. 
Recording Secretary — Grace M. Seavey. 
Financial Secretary — Eliza A. Pitts. 
Treasurer — Juliette Lang. 
Warden — Annie M. Ellingwood. 
Conductor — H. Lizzie Caswell. 
Outside Guardian — Callie Kneeland. 
Inside Guardian — Meda A. Davis. 
Chaplain — Ella A. Kneeland. 
R. S. N. G. — Nathaniel H. Seavey. 
L. S. N. G. — Clara A. Roes. 
R. S. V. G. — Marcia O. Seavey. 
L. S. V. G. — Edith L. Caswell. 

The Lodge started under most auspicious circumstances 
as far as the membership was concerned, as it was un- 
usually large, and included many ladies of much ability. 
The membership was so large at the start that some said 
that it had come into existence full grown, and would 
hardly gain enough in the future to make good the natural 
loss, but such predictions showed little knowledge of the 
material at hand, or of the determined workers that were 
among the charter members. It has not only held its own 
from the start, but has added fifty per cent to the original 
membership, having now upwards of one hundred and 
twenty-five members, with several more in immediate pros- 
pect. 

Not only has this Lodge held its own and made a large 
increase in membership, but it has done effective work 
in assisting the Odd Fellows, particularly in the way of 
aiding to fit up and furnish tlie first banquet hall and kitch- 
en which were built in 1903, and in the work which 
has been done since the great fire. In that fire the Re- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 237 

bekahs were large losers, but so earnestly and effectually 
have they labored that their own loss has been made good, 
the kitchen and banquet hall in the new building have been 
furnished in fine style, and in addition they have purchased 
all of the carpets in the new building. 

The material assistance as noted above is not the only 
aid that has been rendered the Odd Fellows by this impor- 
tant branch of the Order, for its influence has been felt 
in the membership of the main Lodge, which is much 
larger today than it would have been without the aid of 
the Rebekah Lodge. As in the case of the Odd Fellows, 
the fire and the great loss which it brought seems to have 
given this Lodge new life. Not only has it inspired the 
old members with increased interest, but the heroic man- 
ner in which the members have met and overcome their 
great misfortune has attracted renewed attention from out- 
side, thus bringing several valuable members within the 
gates. The Lodge seems to have never been more pros- 
perous than at the present time, and it is an organization 
of which our town is justly proud. 

The following members have been Noble Grands in the 
order named : 

Albert F. Davis, Abbie F. Purington, 

Lizzie A. Doughty, Jennie Burnham, 

Etta A. Moulton, Rebecca Shedd, 

Marcia O. Seavey, Marcia O. Seavey, 

Edith L. Caswell, Gertrude Nevers, 

Caroline Kneeland, Evelyn M. Kneeland, 

Genevra Lown, Clara A. Roes, 

Jennie Burnham, Annie D. Whitney, 

Alice M. Bennett, Gertrude L. Smith. 

The following members have died since the institution 
of the Lodge: Clara M. Caswell, Lizzie A. Doughty, Lil- 
lian L. Hill, Genevra Lown, Alice J. Pitts, Eliza A. Pitts, 



238 A HISTORY OF THE 

Grace M. Seavey, Nancy J. Stone, Ella E. Thomes, Callie 
H. Thomes, Lizzie G. Winslow. 

The officers of the Lodge for the present year are as 
follows : 

Noble Grand — Gertrude L. Smith. 

Vice Grand — Nellie E. Fogg. . 

Recording Secretary — Caroline Kneeland. 

Financial Secretary — Gertrude Blake. 

Treasurer — Clara A. Roes. 

Warden — Georgia A. Garland. 

Conductor — Carlotta T. Harmon. 

Chaplain — Lelia F. Wheeler. 

Outside Guardian — Ernest G. Marcque. 

Inside Guardian — • \ ida A. Greene. 

R. S. N. G. — Frank P. Bennett. 

L. S. N. G. — Grace D. Lamb. 

R. S. V. G. — Alice M. Bennett. 

L. S. V. G. — Effie R. Pitts. 

A curious thing in relation to the Odd Fellow and Re- 
bekah Lodges is the fact that the membership of the two 
was for quite a long time very nearly the same, and was 
exactly the same for a time. The wave of prosperity 
which followed the fire seems to have struck the Odd Fel- 
lows first, increasing its membership over the Rebekahs to 
some extent, as is seen by the numbers as given above. One 
of the prominent members of the latter organization, while 
giving the writer some statistics to assist him in writing 
this sketch, remarked on the fact, and added that the Re- 
bekahs "would have to do some hustling in order to re- 
cover their lost ground," and they can be trusted to do it. 
Of course it is understood that the only rivalry between 
the two lodges is an entirely friendly one, as both are 
working for the same end, and assisting each other to every 
possible extent. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 239 



PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 



Patrons of Husbandry — ^ or "Grangers" — -is an order 
of comparatively recent origin, the first Grange in the 
United States having been organized on December 4, 1867. 
The Order made very slow growth at first, and did not reach 
Maine till 1873. The organization of Granges in this vi- 
cinity did not begin until the following year. Crooked River 
Grange at Bolster's Mills, the first one to be formed in 
this vicinity, having been organized in August of that 
year. The Order has become so powerful throughout our 
whole land, and has so many members in this immediate 
vicinity, it is thought best to give it a prominent place 
in this History. 

The early organizers erred in giving undue prominence 
to financial matters, and keeping the social features too 
much in the background. Great promises were made as 
to the saving in money that could be effected by buying 
direct, and doing away with the middlemen. This greatly 
alarmed the merchants, who regarded the Order as a men- 
ace to their business, and an enemy that must be put down 
at any cost. This resulted in the Order being antagonized 
by this class almost to a man. Many farmers, misunder- 
standing the real purposes of the Patrons, and allowing 
the old prejudice against secret organizations to influence 
them, joined in the warfare against the Order, which was 
very bitter for a time, and many a Grange went down before 
it. 

Time has changed all of these things however. The er- 
roneous teachings of the past have been eradicated, and 
the Order placed upon its true basis as an organization 
designed primarily to benefit the agricultural classes by 
promoting social and educational reforms, and not by an- 
tagonizing other classes, or by making war upon any legiti- 
mate business. While the members may at times exercise 
the undoubted right of any class to mass their orders, and 



240 A HISTORY OF THE 

thus secure wholesale rates, the merchants now recognize 
the fact that the Order is in no way hostile to them, and 
that many of their best customers are among its members. 
Enough of the doings of this organization are made pub- 
lic so that all can see that the social and educational fea- 
tures are given special prominence, and that the reforms 
that are being advocated are such as will benefit, not the 
agricultural classes alone, but the whole people. There 
is a changed feeling in every way, and all now regard the 
Order as one that is beneficial to any community, and 
where there was at one time nothing but warfare and the 
most malignant opposition, there is now hardly a sound 
of anything but friendliness and good feeling. 

Crooked River Grange, No. 32. 

This was the first Grange to be organized in this vi- 
cinity, and was made up of members from Harrison and 
Otisfield, with its headquarters at Bolster's Mills. Its 
meeting place has always been on the Harrison side. 

It was organized on the afternoon of August 20, 1874, 
at Stuart's Hall, by State Deputy Charles H. Cobb of 
Poland, with twenty-two charter members, as follows : 

Fernald J. Sawyer, W. Wallace Andrews, 

Amos Small, Leonard B. Green, 

John Lombard, J. W. Weston, 

Isaac H. Stuart, Elizabeth H. Stuart, 

David Frost, Alma S. Skillings, 

Oscar V. Edwards, H. Lizzie Weston, 

Obadiah G. Cook, Mary E. Sawyer, 

Nelson Lowell, Lucia E. Edwards, 

Elias I. Fogg, Ann Lombard. 

S. Loton Weston, Nancy B. Frost, 

Asa Andrews, Addie A. Andrews. 

The following officers were elected, and duly installed 
to serve for the remainder of the year : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 24I 

Master — David Frost. 

Overseer — W. Wallace Andrews. 

Lecturer — Fernald J. Sawyer. 

Steward — Amos Small. 

Assistant Steward — Oscar V. Edwards. 

Chaplain — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Treasurer — John Lombard. 

Secretary — S. Loton Weston. 

Gate Keeper — Nelson Lowell. 

Ceres — Addie A. Andrews. 

Pomona — ■ Alma S. Skillings. 

Flora — Lucia E. Edwards. 

Lady Assistant Steward — H. Lizzie Weston. 

The Grange rented Stuart's Hall, and the meetings were 
held there until the new hall was built. This was first 
occupied on December 3, 1887, having been built by the 
Grange during the previous season. This hall was dedi- 
cated in due form, in accordance with the usages of the 
Order, on March 8, 1888, Hon. Frederick Robie, who was 
then Master of the State Grange, being the Dedicating 
Officer. A large audience was present, several granges be- 
ing represented. At the Dedication Ball on the following 
evening State Master Robie led the grand march at the open- 
ing with Mrs. Elizabeth H. Stuart for a partner. It is re- 
lated that, during the progress of the march the ex-Gov- 
ernor facetiously remarked to his partner that he took pleas- 
ure in dancing in the country, for he was "in no danger of 
treading all over his partner's dress." 

Very soon after its organization the Grange began to 
trade in a small way by buying goods and distributing them 
to the members at the meetings. Later a stock of goods 
was put into the small building which stood where the 
Grange Hall now stands, and some one was employed to 
keep it open on stated days. After the new hall was occu- 
pied a good stock of goods was placed in the lower story, 



242 A HISTORY OF THE 

and the Grange run this store until, some years after, it 
was sold to Freeman H. Pike, who continued it in the 
same place — it being run largely in the interests of the 
Grange — until failing health obliged him to close it some 
years later. After the store was discontinued the Grange 
proceeded to fit up the rooms which had been occupied 
by it and a spacious dining room is now in its place. 
Since that time the Grange has occupied the whole of the 
building. 

This Grange did not have so many troubles, nor en- 
counter so much opposition, as did many of these organi- 
zations in the early days of the Order, but there have been 
some obstacles to overcome. To a limited extent the op- 
position that was found in all quarters was found here. 
There were dissensions and differences in regard to what 
should be the leading objects of the Grange, some advo- 
cating social, educational, and literary features, while others 
thought that financial matters should overshadow every- 
thing else. On February i, 1890, quite a serious inroad 
was made in the membership by the withdrawal by dimit 
of twelve members in order that they might join Frederick 
Robie Grange, No. 307, on Otisfield Gore, others fol- 
lowing later. But Crooked River Grange had many mem- 
bers who were loyal and true, and whose devotion to the 
Grange and its principles never faltered. Opposition from 
outside only made them the more faithful to the Order, 
dissensions and differences did not affect them, and when 
members withdrew to seek a home elsewhere they only 
worked the harder to fill their places with new members. 
It can be truly said that this Grange never had any very 
dark days in its existence, and now, although its territory 
is somewhat limited, it has about one hundred and twenty 
members, owns a good hall, and has money in its treasury. 

At the organization of this Grange, David Frost was 
chosen as Master, and served during the remainder of 
the year. W. Wallace Andrews was elected as Master 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 243 

at the beginning of 1875, and served in that position for 
fourteen years. He was elected and installed for the fif- 
tenth term, but was obliged to resign in order to become 
a member of the new Grange, the headquarters of which 
were near his home. The Masters since that date are as 
follows : 

1 890- 1 89 1, George H. Greene. 

1892, Albert F. Chute. 

1893, George H. Greene. 
1894-1895, Harry I. Lowell. 
1896-1898, George H. Greene. 
1899-1900, Samuel C. Barrows. 
1901-1902, Harry I. Lowell. 
1903- 1904, Henry E. Jillson. 
1905-1906, Nathan C. Pinkham. 
1907, Lyman Shedd. 

Lakeside Grange, No. 63. 

Lakeside Grange, No. 63, was organized at the Town 
Hall, Harrison Village, on Wednesday evening, December 
2, 1874, by State Deputy David Crockett of Durham, with 
twenty-one charter members, as follows : 

Alphonso Moulton, Albert Gray, 

George H. Cummings, Mrs. Etta A. Moulton, 

William H. Robbins, Mrs. Sarah E. Cummings, 

George S. Pitts, Mrs. Fannie O. Packard, 

Charles H. Lakin, Miss J. Augusta Greene, 

Henry C. Packard, Mrs. Dorcas Thomes, 

Marshall Thomes, Mrs. Virene Lakin, 

Henry L. Buck, Mrs. Mary E. Foster, 

Llewellyn A. Trafton, Mrs. Abby L. Milliken, 

Nathaniel H. Seavey, Mrs. Mary H. Davis, 
Mrs. Fidelia Gray. 



244 A HISTORY OF THE 

After Deputy Crockett gave the members the necessary 
instructions in regard to the work, the following officers 
were elected: 

Master — George H. Cummings. 

Overseer — Charles H. Lakin. 

Lecturer — Nathaniel H. Seavey. 

Steward — Henry C. Packard. 

Assistant Steward — • William H. Robbins. 

Chaplain — Henry L. Buck. 

Treasurer — Marshall Thomes. 

Secretary — Alphonso Moulton. 

Gate Keeper — Llewellyn A. Trafton. 

Ceres — Mrs. Dorcas Thomes. 

Pomona — Mrs. Virene Lakin. 

Flora — Mrs. Etta A. Moulton. 

Lady Assistant Steward — Miss J. Augusta Greene. 

At a meeting held at the same place on the following 
evening, Deputy Crockett, assisted by Alphonso Moulton, 
installed the officers elect, after which the following com- 
mittees were appointed: 

Executive Committee — Albert Gray, 

Henry L. Buck, 
Marshal! Thomes. 
Relief Committee — Charles H. Lakin, 

Nathaniel H. Seavey, 
Mrs. Dorcas Thomes, 
Mrs. Sarah E. Cummings. 

After one or two meetings the Grange leased the "Odd 
Fellows Hall" in the "Old Temple," of S. H. Dawes, and 
continued to hold meetings there during the whole of its 
existence. Members were added in goodly numbers for 
a time, until its total membership was upwards of eighty. 
One of the ante-rooms adjoining the hall was fitted up for 
a store, and a small lot of groceries put in, which were 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 245 

dealt out to the members at the meetings, as called for. 
At a later date arrangements were made with Mr. Edward 
Bray, who was one of the leading members, so that a 
regular store, with a fair sized stock of goods, was kept 
by him in the rooms adjoining his paint shop as long as 
the organization was in existence. 

But the opposition spoken of above was more than usual- 
ly active here, and this, combined with other causes, proved 
too strong for this Grange. After flourishing for a time 
it began to lose members, and gradually dwindled away. 
Some of the members made a heroic fight for life, but 
were obliged to "succumb to the inevitable," their numbers 
becoming so few that the meetings could not be maintained. 
Some eight or ten of the members joined other granges, 
but the others gave up entirely, though some of them never 
lost their love for the Order. The meetings were dis- 
continued, and the Grange went completely out of exis- 
tence for several years, the old Grange Hall became un- 
inhabitable, and the Order was almost forgotten by a large 
part of the people in the community. 

But this organization was flourishing elsewhere, and 
some of our enterprising farmers never lost sight of that 
fact. Mr. W. O. Breed of Hillside Farm, Mr. Quincy M. 
Chute, and others, succeeded in enlisting the attention of 
the State Officers in the latter part of 1901. Deputies 
W. S. Larrabee of Auburn, and L. D. Corser of Bridgton, 
were sent here to work up an interest if possible, and so 
well did they succeed that Lakeside Grange was reorganized 
on Friday evening, December 13, 1901, with twenty-five 
charter members, as follows : 

Samuel H. Dawes, Ira A. Kneeland, 

William O. Breed, Quincy M. Chute, 

Herbert A. Libby, Benj. W. Harmon, 

Joseph W. Foster, Frank Kneeland, 

Henry C. Packard, Albert S. Kneeland, 



246 A HISTORY OF THE 

William H. Bailey, Mrs. Melissa D. Chute, 

George P. Carsley, Miss Carlotta A. Trafton, 

Mrs. Samuel H. Dawes, Miss Edith H. Russell, 

Mrs. William O. Breed, Joseph Pitts, 

Mrs. Rose F. Libby, Frank B. Ward, 

Mrs. Louisa H. Foster, Mrs. Mabel Carsley, 

Mrs. Ella M. Packard, Mrs. Ella A. Kneeland, 

James Fleck. 

The following were the first officers of the new Grange: 
Master — William O. Breed. 
Overseer — Quincy M. Chute. 
Lecturer — Mrs. Louisa H. Foster. 
Steward — Benj. W. Harmon. 
Assistant Steward — Joseph W. Foster. 
Chaplain — William H. Bailey. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Kneeland. 
Secretary — Mrs. Ella A. Kneeland. 
Gate Keeper — Ira A. Kneeland. 
• Ceres — Mrs. William O. Breed. 
Pomona — Mrs. Melissa D. Chute. 
Flora — Miss Edith H. Russell. 
L. A. Steward — Miss Carlotta A. Trafton. 

The first difficulty encountered was in securing a suita- 
ble place for the meetings. Temporary quarters were pro- 
cured in the upper story of the Peirce Block, owned by 
William H. Bailey, who fitted up a vacant rent for the 
purpose. These rooms sufficed for some time, though the 
construction of more suitable quarters was agitated to quite 
an extent. The Grange made no perceptible growth for 
about two years — gaining a few new numbers, but losing 
as many of the original ones. But the leaders in this en- 
terprise "knew no such word as fail," and worked steadily 
on. At length some, who had long hesitated in regard 
to casting their lot with an organization of whose ulti- 
mate success there was so much doubt, were induced to 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 247 

take the chances, and to lend a helping hand. A boom 
started at once, and rapid growth followed, the member- 
ship increasing from thirty-two to ninety-six in a little 
more than a year. 

The quarters became suddenly crowded, and Mr. Bailey 
fitted up the old Peirce Hall for a meeting place. This 
answered for a time, but the crying need of a new hall 
became more and more apparent as the new members con- 
tinued to come in. The members were fairly driven to 
procuring larger and better quarters in order to prevent 
the Grange from going to pieces on account of the lack 
of a suitable place for the meetings. After much dis- 
cussion they resolved to do a job that would be a credit 
to the Grange, and that would be regarded with pride by 
all of the citizens at the Village. 

The building and dedication of the new Grange Hall 
was one of the great events of the Centennial Year. The 
site selected for the building was the most convenient and 
accessible that could be found in the Village. It was ded- 
icated in due form on Saturday, December 2nd, which was 
the anniversary of the organization of the old Grange 
thirty-one years before. State Master Obadiah Gardner 
was the Dedicating Officer, and made a stirring address, 
as did also State Lecturer W. J. Thompson. There was 
a big "Grange Dinner," and the literary exercises made a 
prominent feature of the program. A lengthy poem read 
by the Lecturer of the Grange contained much Grange his- 
tory and many matters of local interest. It is given in full 
at the close of this chapter. 

This Grange seems now to have become a permanent 
organization, has made a large increase of membership 
since the dedication of the hall, the total number being 
one hundred and thirty-three. Its meetings always call 
out a large attendance, and never fail to be interesting. 
The new hall, which many hesitated in regard to building, 
on account of the large debt which it would be necessary 
to incur, has become the headquarters of entertainments 



248 A HISTORY OF THE 

of all kinds, and is paying beyond the most sanguine ex- 
pectations. All classes recognize in the Grange an organi- 
zation that is striving to make the world better, and to 
make the homes of the people happier and more attractive. 
They recognize the fact that it has given to Harrison Vil- 
lage a fine hall that supplies a long felt want, and are 
ready at all times to lend it a helping hand in all of its enter- 
prises for the uplifting of the common people. 

The Masters of the old Lakeside Grange were as fol- 
lows : George H. Cummings, Nathaniel H. Seavey, Al- 
phonso Moulton, Howard M. Thompson. As the records 
of the old Grange have been destroyed it is impossible to 
give their different terms of service. 

The following are the Masters of the new Grange since 
its re-organization in 1901 : 

1901-1903 — W. O. Breed. 

1904 — George H. Greene. 

1905 — Quincy M. Chute. 

1906 — Alphonso Moulton. 

1907 — Walter C. Chadbourne. 

1908 — John W. Nevers. 

The officers for the present year (1908) are as follows: 
Master — John W. Nevers. 
Overseer — J. Arthur Chadbourne. 
Lecturer — Ethel E. Thomes. 
Steward — Lewis F. Briggs. 
Assistant Steward — Harry E. Smith. 
Chaplain — Clarence Yeaton. 
Treasurer — James P. Blake. 
Secretary — Mrs. Bertha M. Nevers. 
Gate Keeper — Lewis N. Howard. 
Ceres — Mrs. Etta A. Thomes. 
Pomona — Mrs. Melissa D. Chute. 
Flora — Mrs. Lilla Marr. 

Lady Assistant Steward — May L. Purington. 
Chorister — Mrs. Lucia Lakin. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 249 



LAKESIDE GRANGE, Ax\D ITS NEW HALL. 



A Poem read at the Dedication of the New Grange Hall 
at Harrison, on December 2, 1905. 



BY ALPHONSO MOULTON. 



When, more than thirty years ago, 

This Grange first saw the hght, 
The opposition was so strong 

For life it had to fight. 
For a few years it Hved along, 

Then pined away and died. 
And its remains were laid away 

In grave both deep and wide. 

The years passed by, and then there came 

A resurrection morn. 
When, by the help of Patrons true, 

The child again was born. 
It was rather weak and sickly. 

In size so very small, 
That room there was in plenty 

In Bailey's little hall. 

Now, of a good man for Master, 

They sorely were in need, 
And, after due consultation, 

They chose good Brother Breed. 
He was so faithful to his trust. 

And did his work so nice. 
That, as the leader of the Grange, 

He was elected thrice. 



250 A HISTORY OF THE 

Still the Grange was weak and puny, 

And struggled hard for Hfe, 
But true and faithful Patrons 

Were helping in the strife. 
In Faith, in Hope, with Charity, 

They labored long and well, 
And of their final victory 

'Tis pleasant now to tell. 

The next Master was a Greene one, 

But he proved, all the same. 
That he was green in nothing. 

Excepting just his name. 
With dignity he filled the place, 

With just a little fun, — 
And if he would have stood again. 

He'd surely been the one. 

The Grange had now begun to grow. 

As any one could see, — 
In fourteen months its members 

Were multiplied by three. 
Surely this was a wondrous start — 

The growth was very swift. 
But everything seemed then to help 

To give the Grange a lift. 

We twice outgrew our quarters. 

And knew not what to do; 
A larger hall would cost much cash, 

And lots of labor, too. 
A new one, such as we needed. 

Would plunge us deep in debt, 
And such rash and hasty action 

We dared not take as yet. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 25I 

Could we not fix up some old one 

That would answer quite as well, 
That would furnish quarters roomy, 

And house us for a spell? 
We'd thus avoid a dreadful debt, — 

A fearful bugbear to us, — 
And have a place in which to meet. 

Which for a time would do us. 

The "Sampson Store," the Baptist Church, 

The "Old Grange Hall" as well. 
Were all examined by the Grange, 

And owners asked to sell. 
Yes, all of these, the "Temple," too. 

Were passed in our review. 
But of them all, to make a hall. 

No one of them would do. 

We looked around us, and we saw 

Where other Granges dwell ; 
They for themselves had built their homes. 

And paid for them as well. 
And were we less enterprising, — 

Were we not just as smart? 
Did not we simply lack the nerve 

Required to make a start? , 

One pleasant day about this time. 

One Thompson came to town, — 
The Lecturer of the State Grange, 

And man of much renown. 
He told us how to build a hall. 

And how to pay the debt, — 
How other Granges had done this. 

And were prospering yet. 



252 A HISTORY OF THE 

He inspired us all with courage, 

And calmed our many fears, 
And showed us how a debt, though large. 

Is less than it appears. 
Brother Chute was the new Master, 

And when he took the trust. 
He quick decided that the Grange 

Must build a hall, or "bust." 

A lot was bought, but soon we found 

That it would never do : 
In size it was so much too small 

We had to purchase two. 
And soon the work we did begin, — 

Went at it with a dash, — 
Some gave labor, others lumber, 

And others gave some cash. 

The workmen all were faithful men, 

And never tried to shirk ; 
Though one there was whose name was Marr, 

He never marred his work. 
Still another, a good brother, 

Was something of a Guy, 
But he kept always busy. 

And tried to satisfy. 

And a busy man was Nevers, — 

Yes, our John W., — 
If you came in to look about. 

He'd seldom trouble you. 
Still one more there was, named Foster, 

Who came in at the last. 
And always did his work quite well, 

Though not extremely fast. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 253 

And some there were came from the ranks, 

Who helped along the work, — 
So very earnest were they all 

They labored like a Turk. 
Some there were who did the stone work, 

And others laid the floor ; 
No matter how much some brothers did. 

They'd willingly do more. 

Chute and Thomes and Yeaton 

Were heroes in the strife. 
While others buckled on the armor. 

And worked for dearest life. 
The work went on so glib and well 

It filled them all with joy. 
And some who thought they couldn't work. 

Would loudly shout "ster-boy." 

Now, of this crew so tried and true. 

One Edwards was the boss. 
And to find work for all to do 

Was seldom at a loss. 
And he could do all kinds of work. 

Lay floor, or lay the brick. 
Could set scenery on the stage. 

Or make plastering that would stick. 

The sisters, too, have writ their names 

All glowing on the page. 
For they have raised a goodly sum. 

To help fit up the stage. 
If any thought we'd have no light. 

They all may calm their fears, 
For Sister Thomes has given cash 

To buy the chandeliers. 



254 A HISTORY OF THE 

Stuart's crew did all the painting, 

And needless 'tis to tell, 
With Charles and Leman helping Sam, • 

The work was all done well. 
The job is all so very good 

It does attract attention, 
And so, to give the credit due, 

Of it I here make mention. 

The name and symbols of our Grange 

Were painted in the gable. 
By "Cad" Mead, the noted painter, 

Who is so amply able. 
The letters, and the emblems, too. 

Emblazoned there by Mead, 
Are all so very clear and plain 

That he who runs may read. 

I ought not to pass unnoticed 

Our fine sidewalk committee. 
Which was surely quite a large one 

For so small a city. 
They were always there on duty, 

No matter what the day. 
And gave a heap of good advice 

Without a cent of pay. 

Friends, the work is here before you, 

And very near complete. 
We all are feeling satisfied, 

And think it very neat; 
And most surely there is reason 

Why we should be quite proud 
Of a hall where we can meet. 

And entertain the crowd. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 255 

The building fine which we have here, 

The object of our pride, 
Has store and dining room below. 

And kitchen large, beside ; 
With hall above that's fairly large, 

And stage of ample size. 
With scenery upon the same 

That will delight the eyes. 

There's room in plenty for our work, — 

Yes, e'en the goat can prance. 
And candidates all take a ride 

W'hene'er they shall advance. 
Now all the rites can be explained. 

And everything made plain, 
And let us hope, in cramped-up rooms 

We ne'er shall work again. 

For the shows and entertainments 

A place is here provided. 
With situation that is good. 

As all have now decided. 
It is a hall, in want of which 

The Village long has stood, 
And here it has the building now. 

Substantial, strong and good. 

With services appropriate. 

And rites that may seem strange. 
Today we dedicate this hall 

For use of Lakeside Grange. 
May it be used for purposes 

To benefit mankind. 
And shelter naught in future days 

To leave a sting behind. 



256 A HISTORY OF THE 

Brothers and sisters, Patrons all, 

Let us united stand, 
And there shall be no better Grange 

In all this wondrous land. 
If we are faithful to our trust, 

And do our duty well, 
Of how next year will end in glory, 

The story we can tell. 

We've started on a road all bright. 

And smiling skies are o'er us ; 
If we will just exert our might, 

And do the work before us, 
Let Wisdom ever hold the reins, 

And Union guide our band, 
Then our loved Grange will surely be 

A power in the land. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 257 



TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 



The histories of other towns tell us how intoxicating 
liquors were sold in early times by the merchants the same 
as groceries and other articles — absolutely without re- 
striction — and Harrison was no exception to the general 
rule. In early times nearly every one drank to some ex- 
tent, and considered it to be right to do so. Old men 
who used to go on the boats of the Cumberland and Ox- 
ford Canal have told us of the hogsheads of rum that used 
to frequently form a part of the cargoes. It seems that 
the first thing that was done to restrict the sale of liquor 
in any way was to require the merchants to obtain a li- 
cense for its sale, the license to be issued by the town 
authorities, and our town records show numerous cases 
where these licenses were issued, in some cases to men 
who in after years were rigid temperance men. If the 
old account books could be resurrected very many of them 
would show by the charges in the accounts that liquor 
was dealt out as openly as molasses. 

An old story, which was often told by the older people 
tells of a certain merchant prominent at one time at the 
village whose books contained an account against a cer- 
tain customer in which a repetition of the following charge 
formed the chief items : "To a herring, a cracker, and a 
glass of rum." Sometimes the last charge for the day 
would read : "To a herring, a cracker, a glass of rum, and 
horse home." It seems that the merchant finally tired 
of making so many charges, and began to sum up the 
day's business in one charge, like this : "To three herring, 
three crackers, and three glasses of rum." The customer 
made no objection to any item in the account till he came 
to one of these, when he stoutly declared that he never 
bought so many at any one time. Other account books 
contained larger charges for liquor than those against this 



258 A HISTORY OF THE 

man, and they were not objected to, either, for they were 
just as legitimate as any other charges. 

But a change came when the temperance movement 
swept over the State, and such things as those mentioned 
above are regarded as almost impossible by many of the 
present generation. Temperance found many ardent ad- 
vocates in this town, and many of our leading citizens were 
very prominent in advocating it, and in advancing the cause 
in every possible way, — by talking, lecturing, and voting 
in its favor, and in favor of stringent laws for suppressing 
the sale of intoxicating liquors, and forming societies and 
clubs for its advancement. 

Several temperance organizations have been started here 
at different times and some of them flourished for a time, 
and had a large membership, but for some reason all have 
been short-lived. Harrison has always had zealous tem- 
perance men and women since the movement was first 
started, and they have been earnest in their efforts to 
establish these societies, and to make them permanent, but 
their labors have always been in vain as far as permanency 
was concerned. Without doubt much good has been done 
by these associations in stemming the tide of intemperance, 
and reclaiming the intemperate, but none of them obtained 
a permanent existence, there being nothing of the kind in 
the town at the present time. 

But the good seed was sown, and strict temperance in 
the use of intoxicating liquors is now advocated by nearly 
all fraternal societies, some of them going so far as to bar 
from membership all persons engaged in the sale of liquor, 
and to expel members who may be proved guilty of such 
an offense. The work that was made a specialty by the 
temperance societies and clubs seems to be thus being done 
by other orders, which unite it with other worthy purposes, 
and tliis is, perhaps, a prominent reason why our people 
have no use for organizations which have but one grand 
object in view. 



TOWX (IF IIAKKISdN. 259 

The first temperance organization in town, after the dy- 
ing out of the old Temperance society of 1831, and Wash- 
ingtonians of 1840, was known as the "Temperance Watch- 
men Chib," of which the Hon. Philander Tolman was the 
leading spirit. It was organized about 1850, with head- 
quarters at the village, and there was at least one other 
organized later on, it being at South Harrison. The "Club" 
at the village seems to have soon become a numerous and 
influential body, and some now living will tell us of the 
meetings which were held, and the work which was done. 
There was a feeling, however, on the part of some of the 
members that the "Clubs" were being used too much for 
political purposes. Whether there was just ground for 
this feeling we cannot say, but there is little doubt that 
this had considerable influence in bringing about the ulti- 
mate downfall of the club here, and in other parts of the 
State, as well as of other temperance organizations which 
came into existence later on. 

In the summer of 185 1, the Harrison "Temperance Watch- 
men Club" signalized its existence, and showed that its lead- 
ers had much energy and "go-ahead" in their make-up, by 
projecting and carrying to a successful termination, the 
greatest Fourth of July celebration ever held in this town. 
It was a more than "Nine Days' Wonder" at the time, and 
certainly deserves a permanent place in the historical annals 
of this town. Hon. Philander Tolman was very active in 
getting up this celebration. For some reason it was strongly 
opposed by some of our leading men, but Mr. Tolman showed 
his accustomed energy in the matter, sparing neither time 
nor money, and overcoming all obstacles that were thrown 
in the way. Though he was the leading spirit in the move- 
ment, his efforts were ably seconded by other energetic 
citizens of Harrison and North Bridgton, and in the end 
all seemed to have fallen into line, and joined heartily in 
making it a grand success. 



26o A HISTORY OF THE 

At that time there were no buildings in the vicinity of 
"the cove," and it was all a forest. It having been de- 
termined to hold the celebration at this place, a small clear- 
ing was made where J. Wallace Caswell's house now stands, 
and there the tables were set for the big dinner. Another 
clearing was made near where Levi Harmon now lives, 
and in that place the stand for the speakers was erected. The 
Fourth was a very rainy day, but the Fifth was clear 
and pleasant, and the saying that a postponed meeting is 
never a success was proved to be untrue in this case. 

Charles O. Stickney of Bridgton, the well known news- 
paper man, was then in his childhood, and chanced to be 
present at this celebration. He has retained in his memory 
a vivid recollection of the affair, and seems to have also 
made some notes at the time. Within a short time he has 
written up the "great event" for one of the city dailies. 
He has kindly furnished us with a copy of this article, 
and from it we condense the following account of tne 
"big celebration." 



A FAMOUS OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY 
CELEBRATION. 



I am going to chat about a famous old-time observance 
of the "Glorious Fourth" up here in Cumberland county, 
which I attended when a boy, and of which I have vivid 
memories. It was a big time, and many to it — several 
thousands, in fact. That old-time celebration was a big 
thing in every sense of the word. It was big in the number 
of people attending it, big in inception and culmination, big 
in enthusiasm and enjoyment. In one respect it was big 
with fate, for to that celebration is due the introduction 
into local life of that important feature, the brass band. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 261 

This affair took place in 185 1. It was a joint celebration 
by Harrison and North Bridgton, and was held at the head 
of Long Lake, beside Harrison Village. The mention of 
that memorable affair calls up graphic pictures of the scenes 
thereof to the writer. Of the great throng assembled from 
near and afar who took part in that famous observance 
there are some living today, and of this surviving con- 
tingent those whose eyes scan this story will look adown 
the vista of fifty-four years and join again the patriotic 
army of peaceful invaders by whom Harrison Village that 
day was occupied. 

That year (1851) was in the heart and heat of a general 
temperance awakening, and the celebration was largely rep- 
resentative of the temperance elements, especially in the 
processional feature, it being chiefly made up of various 
organizations whose shibboleth was : "Touch not, taste 
not, and give not to thy fellow man the accursed drink!" 

It was to have taken place July 4th, but it rained hard 
all day, causing a postponement to the 5th. The Charles- 
town Brass Band, v/hich had come by stage coach from 
Portland, forty odd miles, on the 3rd, broke up into twos 
and threes, and these squads were entertained at the 
houses of citizens of "Harrison Flat" and "Head of the 
Pond," as the two villages were then called. It was the 
first time a brass band was ever in this region, and the 
people vied with one another in showering upon the mem- 
bers attention and hearty hospitality. Some of the in- 
strumentalists, such as played the cornet, bugle, alto horns, 
etc., relieved the monotony of that dark rainy day by giving 
selections, to the great delectation of their entertainers and 
callers. 

But, to the general joy, the 5th was as fair and lovely 
as the 4th had been foul and dismal, and at an early hour 
the people began to pour into the "Flat" from all points 
of the compass, not excepting the lake, some coming in 
boats. 



262 A HISTORY OF THE 

Promptly on time, that object of intense curiosity, the 
Charlestown Brass Band, was on hand at parade head- 
quarters, in stunning uniforms and elegant equipment, 
the cynosure of every eye. The services of this excellent 
band had been secured by the committee through the per- 
sonal office of the late Capt. Abram Savage of North 
Bridgton, the once noted old-time singing master and prom- 
inent Mason, two of whose sons, Lyman and Frank, were 
members of it. The captain had been to Boston and heard 
several bands of that city and vicinity, and to his musical 
ear, influenced no doubt to some extent by parental pride, 
he decided that this one was "the best of them all," and so 
reported on his return. ***** 

The grand parade was formed on Harrison's main street, 
and extended north and south more than a quarter of a 
mile. I well recollect how the Marshal of the day, the late 
Col. James Webb of North Bridgton, rode down between 
the two ranks, as they stood facing each other a few feet 
apart, and shouted in stentorian tones : "Straighten out 
your lines — keep your lines straight ! Steady there !" Then 
he rode back to the head of the column and ordered the 
ranks to face to the front by twos. This was promptly 
done, and next came the command, "Forward, march !" 
The band struck up a stirring air and the long column 
began to march through the principal streets, thence to a 
pine grove at the head of the lake, where the exercises 
were to be held. 

At that time there was no local paper published in this 
region, (and not till seven years later, when the Bridgton 
Reporter made its advent), and no representative of any 
city paper was present to embalm for posterity the story 
of the day's doings, but from a brief entry in my juvenile 
journal I am able to state that "the procession moved in 
the following order :" 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 263 

Marshal. Col. James Webb. 

Aids, Horace Billings and George Farnsworth, Mounted. 

Charlestown Brass Band. 

Watchmen Clubs in Numerical Order. 

Juvenile Temperance Cadets, Secret Societies and Other 

Bodies. 
Citizens Generally. 

In the intervening half century — an era fraught with 
dramatic vicissitudes and tremendous events to this nation 
— I have seen many a magnificent pageant, but as seen 
by my dilated juvenile eyes the memory of that procession 
transcended them all- — it was by all odds "the greatest show 
on earth." The marshal, gaily uniformed, rode his mettle- 
some gray steed with the firmness and grace of a veteran 
dragoon ; Horace Billings, at that time Bridgton's tanner 
and business king, was mounted on his favorite gray driv- 
ing horse, for which he had paid $500, a princely sum in 
those times ; while Mr. Farnsworth, if I rightly remember, 
rode a handsome black horse. And the spectacle of those 
three officers, with military hats and red sashes, moving 
side by side on their richly caparisoned, prancing steeds ; 
the full uniformed band, with perfect alignment and exact 
step, discoursing soul-stirring music; the temperance 
"Watchmen" clubs, wearing regalia, and with beautiful 
banners; the juvenile "Cadets" in white duck pants and 
dark coats, and adorned with white crossed sash with blue 
rosette ; the other organizations wearing regalia and badges 
;md bearing the national flag ; and the long retinue of the 
"common people," likewise marching in two ranks — well, 
well ! it was a sight for the gods ! I can never hope to 
see its like again! When, on my return home to Bridgton 
I entered in my diary a brief record of the great event, I, 
in a burst of patriotic ardor, gave vent to my pent-up feel- 
ings in the following original prologue: 



264 A HISTORY OF THE 

Like our sires before us, 
We will swell the chorus 
Till the heavens o'er us 
Shall rebound the loud hurrah! 

The literary exercises took place on an improvised high 
platform in the shady grove. General Hodgdon of Stan- 
dish was president of the day ; George S. Farnsworth of 
North Bridgton, read the Declaration of Independence ; 
Rev. L. Stevens of Norway was the orator of the day, and 
the band interspersed the program with choice selections. 
Parson Stevens' oration was a good one, as Fourth of July 
rhetoric and eloquence was gauged in those days, being 
well worded, but abounding with popular spread-eagle plat- 
itudes, which went to show that the great and mighty 
uncle Samuel, if his coat-tails were trod on, would at once 
proceed to lick the offender before breakfast, even if it 
were the most mighty nation, except ours, on the face of 
the globe! Of course the British lion's tail was tightly 
twisted, and the soldiery and citizens who loyally supported 
the cause of England in the Revolutionary struggle were 
shown to have been fiends incarnate, compared with whom 
Judas Iscariot was a gentleman and a scholar. 

The program concluded, the crowd adjourned to the 
near-by, gaily decorated pavilion, where a sumptuous din- 
ner was served. 

A comical incident occurred soon after the hungry ban- 
queters had begun their attack on the menu. Col. Webb 
rode up in hot haste, and, evidently alarmed lest the religious 
int'-oductory feature had been omitted, gave the command 

"Grace before meat will now be said by the chaplain !" 

To which President Hodgdon, his mouth full of cold 
chicken, sung out : 

"That's already been attended to, Colonel !" 

Among the toasts offered was this one by President Wil- 
liam Baker of Bridgton Academy, in which the lion's tail 
got another twist : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 265 

"The Fourth of July ! It 'rained' over us ; which no 
British monarch has done for half a century." 

By and by the column again formed and it marched 
back to the village proper, where it was dismissed. The 
festivities of the day were supplemented by a "grand dis- 
play of fireworks." There was no accident to mar the en- 
joyment, and the celebration was in all respects a decided 
success. 

The chief actors in that jollification are no more. Colonel 
Webb, — who furnished si.x sons for the civil war, including 
the late sheriff of Cumberland county, Isaiah S. Webb — 
died quite a number of years ago; Mr. Farnsworth died 
more recently ; and Horace Billings passed away in May 
last, at the age of ninety years. ***** Alas! 
they are for the most part a vanished throng. 



266 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER IX. 



AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



WE have no records extant of any agricultural organi- 
zation in Harrison previous to the fair of 1858, nor 
of any meeting of farmers for the discussion of farm topics, 
or for any other purpose whatever, but the great and won- 
derful success of that exhibition seems to have been the 
means of starting a great interest in agricultural matters. 
Very soon after the fair — perhaps that was the starting 
point — there seems to have been a move toward the organi- 
zation of some kind of a "club," or "society" of farmers, 
and a call was issued for a meeting of "the citizens of Har- 
rison for the purpose of organizing an Agricultural and 
Mechanics Club," and the meeting was held at the office 
of A. A. Strout, Esq., at Harrison Village, on December 
I, 1858. Benjamin F. Peirce was Chairman of the meet- 
ing, and Joshua Howard, Secretary. Almon A. Strout, 
Edward K. Whitney, and John Dawes were chosen as 
a committee to draft a constitution, after which the meet- 
ing adjourned one week. 

For some weeks the work of organizing seemed to move 
slow, and at the next meeting the committee reported 
that they were not ready to submit a constitution, and the 
only business that was done was to discuss the follow- 
ing resolution : "Resolved, That the organization of an 
Agricultural and Mechanics Club will be of great benefit 
to the citizens of this town." The record says naught 
in regard to the decision of the meeting, but at the meet- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 267 

ing held at the same place on December 15th, the com- 
mittee reported a constitution, and it was formally adopted 
as "The Constitution of the Harrison Agricultural and Me- 
chanics Club." The preamble is evidently the production 
of A. A. Strout, chairman of the committee, who was 
then just beginning the practice of law in Harrison, and 
is as follows : 

"We, the citizens of Harrison and vicinity, desirous of 
advancing the interests of Agriculture and the Mechanic 
Arts, of exciting emulation, of enlarging our information, 
and of availing ourselves of the advantages of united effort 
in making improvement in these important branches of in- 
dustry, do form ourselves into a society, and adopt the 
following as our Constitution." 

The constitution itself was evidently drawn by a prac- 
ticed hand, and in many respects was a model document. 
With the exception of two or three slight amendments in 
regard to the time for the election of officers, it remained 
intact as long as the Club was in existence. Almon A. 
Strout had been chosen Secretary at the previous meeting, 
in the place of Mr. Howard, who for some reason was 
unable to serve, and, following the adoption of the con- 
stitution, it was voted that he be authorized to receive 
names for membership, and that the permanent officers 
of the society be chosen at the next meeting. 

The organization of the Club was perfected at the 
meeting held at Mr. Strout's office on December 29, 
1858, by the choice of the following officers : 
President — John Dawes. 

Vice Presidents — Ezra T. Ingalls, Joshua Howard. 
Secretary — Almon A. Strout. 
Treasurer — Reuben Hobbs. 
Executive Committee — Edward K. Whitney, 

Charles T. Thomes, 
Cyrus Haskell, 
Stephen W. Blake, 
Samuel Thomes. 



268 A HISTORY OF THE 

Thus was brought into existence a somewhat famous 
farmers' organization, which for many years attracted much 
attention both at home and abroad, and was a pioneer 
in the matter of holding town fairs in this part of the State. 
Several weekly meetings were held at the various school- 
houses in the winter following the organization, and the 
very brief reports found in the records indicate a large 
attendance, and some very lively and interesting discus- 
sions, the topics being strictly agricultural. 

The records of the Club are very incomplete and 
broken, and in places are badly mutilated by the deliberate 
cutting out of leaves for some unknown reason, but enough 
is left to show that the same officers were re-elected at 
the beginning of i860, and that Nathaniel P. Harmon 
and Marquis D. P. Caswell were added to the Executive 
Committee. At this annual meeting it seems that the 
practice of meeting at the houses of the members was in- 
augurated as it was voted to hold the next meeting at the 
residence of Edward K. Whitney. 

The next year is a blank so far as any record is con- 
cerned, everything relating to it having been destroyed, 
and no other source of information seems to be available. 
The next record that we have is of the annual meeting 
held on January 2, 1861, at which most of the officers 
were re-elected, the chief change being in the office of 
Secretary, S. Loton Weston being elected to that position. 
Several meetings were quite elaborately reported by the 
new Secretary, and some of the discussions must have 
been quite interesting. One meeting in particular discussed 
the topic — "How can we best protect our crops from 
Insects, Vermin, and the Feathered Pests ?" Some thought 
that the birds should all be allowed to live in order that 
they might prey upon the insects ; others advocated the 
wholesale slaughter of all if any way could be devised 
to do it ; and still others advocated some kind of half 
way measures. The record concludes thus: "It was final- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 269 

ly decided to let each one fight his own battles as best 
may, and look out for his own crops." Rather a sensi- 
ble conclusion under the circumstances. 

Dr. Weston served the Club as its Secretary through 
the years 1861 and 1862, but quite a portion of the do- 
ings during the time are a blank on account of the knife 
of the mutilator having made too free with the pages 
of the records. At the annual meeting of 1863, William 
V. Carsley succeeded the doctor as Secretary, the Ex- 
ecutive Committee was reduced to three members, and 
Edward K. Whitney, Nathaniel P. Harmon, and Franklin 
Walker were chosen to fill the positions. 

Strange as it may seem, the records up to this point 
are entirely silent in regard to the fairs, though it is 
quite certain that some had been held, and tradition in- 
forms us they were very successful. In the record of 
the meeting for March 20, 1861, it was voted, "That the 
President inform A. A. Strout, the former Secretary, that 
it is the wish of the society to have a report of the Town 
Fair of i860 printed." 

At the annual meeting held on January 14, 1863, the 
matter of Annual Fair was brought up for discussion 
by the introduction of the following resolve: "Resolved, 
That the Annual Exhibition of the Harrison Agricultural 
and Mechanics Club, as conducted for the last few years, 
is eminently adapted to the interests for which it was 
intended, and to advance the general welfare of the town, 
and is therefore highly deserving of the fostering care 
and liberal patronage of every true citizen, whatever his 
profession or employment." The record of the next meet- 
ing tells us that the resolve was duly discussed at the 
next meeting, and that "all members present were of the 
unanimous opinion that the Fair and its results were pro- 
ductive of great good, and that all should do what they 
could to sustain it." Following the discussion Nathan 
Carsley, 2nd, was chosen to act in conjunction with the 



270 A HISTORY OF THE 

Treasurer in obtaining names and money in aid of the 
Fair. At the next meeting, Hon. Philander Tolman gave 
the matter another lift by delivering an address upon the 
subject — "Agriculture, and the Benefits derived from hold- 
ing Town Fairs." 

It is evident tliat arrangements were made to hold a 
Fair on that year, but nothing appears in the records, not 
even the date decided upon until the report of the meeting 
of October 7th, which is given up entirely to the com- 
ing Fair. A comiuittee of five was appointed to canvass 
the town "to see how much each family would do towards 
furnishing the table, and in aid of the Fair," Charles 
E. Stuart, Reuben Hobbs, John Johnson, Joshua Howard, 
and William C. Hill being the members of that committee. 
A committee composed of four ladies and four gentlemen 
was appointed to arrange the articles for exhibition in 
the house, the members being Mrs. David Frost, Mrs. S. 
Loton Weston, Mrs. J. G. Whitney, Aliss Caroline Robie, 
David Frost, Philander Tolman, Franklin Walker, and 
O. G. Cook. Walter P. Harmon and Nathan Carsley, 
2nd, were a committee of arrangements in the field. There 
was evidently a strong determination to preserve good 
order, as the following gentlemen were appointed as Po- 
lice for the Fair: Walter P. Harmon, Daniel Mayberry, 
Elliot Libby, Albert Burnham, N. H. Burnham, Cyrus 
Haskell, Albert Gray, Benj. Foster, 2nd, Ezra F. Foster, 
James P. Lowell, Charles E. Stuart, John Johnson, John 
Lombard, Smith Gilkey, and Benj. F. Stanley. Charles 
E. Stuart agreed to furnish the boards for the table, and 
for other purposes, and it was voted to furnish a free 
dinner, and employ the Bridgton Band for the Fair and 
for the meeting to be held on the next Saturday evening. 

It appears that the Fair was held on October 21, 1863, 
and was very successful. Of course a free dinner and the 
presence of a first-class band was sure to call out a great 
crowd, and it seems that the weather was also favorable. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



The occasion seems to have been one of the "great days" 
for which Harrison is quite famous, and a '"grand good 
time" was reported by everybody. A large exhibition 
in all departments is indicated by the list of "premiums" 
given in the report of the Secretary, there being one hun- 
dred and sixty awards in twenty-seven different classes. 
These so-called "premiums," be it understood, were simply 
awards of merit, and carried with them no money, or any- 
thing of value, not even the cheapest kind of a diploma. Xo 
entrance fees on articles for exhibition, no admittance fee, 
a free dinner, and a high grade band to furnish free mu- 
sic, was the program of the fairs of those days. The 
money to defray the necessarj' expenses was subscribed 
by the public-spirited citizens of the town, and the fodder 
for the stock on exhibition was brought by the owners 
of the animals. 

A public meeting was held at the Free Baptist Church 
on the Saturday evening following the Fair. Bridgton 
Band was again on hand, and did "discourse most excellent 
music," after which the reports of the various committees 
were read making public the awards on the multitude of 
exhibits at the Fair. The closing number on the program 
was an address by A. A. Strout, Esq., on the somewhat 
singidar subject: "The Benefits of Agriculture and Its 
Various Dependencies," which was without doubt able 
and interesting. 

Doing so much as the Club did in 1863 appears to have 
very nearly exhausted its energies, though it did have 
life enough left to get together on the following January 
I2th, re-elect its officers, and straightway adjourn "sine 
die" without a lisp in regard to any future meetings. 
Nothing more was heard of this hitherto lively agricul- 
tural organization till April 6, 1866, when it again met 
and elected officers, but once more adjourned "sine die." 
Doubtless this suspension of business was not wholly due 
to having "overdone," but was in part caused by the 



272 A HISTORY OF THE 

depressing effects of the War of the RebelHon, which was 
at its height in 1864, with the Hfe of the nation trembling 
in the balance, and the "flower of our population" being 
called to the front in large numbers, many of them to 
lay down their lives on the southern battle-fields. 

Silence again reigned in the field of agricultural effort 
until October 8, 1868, when a small Fair was held under 
the auspices of the Club, which seems to have been most- 
ly out-of-doors. Granville Fernald, Assistant Secretary, 
who seems to have done all of the clerical work, reported 
fifty-nine entries of Jive stock, and thirty-two of field 
products and garden vegetables, the ladies who had done 
so much in the past taking no part. At the meeting held 
on the succeeding evening, the reports of the committees 
were given as usual, after which the Club proceeded to 
elect officers for the ensuing year, with the result that 
there was almost an entire "new deal." The new officers 
were as follows: 

President — Caleb A. Chaplin. 

\'ice Presidents — Edward K. Whitney, 
Cyrus Haskell. 

Secretary — Granville Fernald. 

Treasurer — Charles T. Thomes. 

Executive Committee — M. F. Winslow, 

Cyrus C. Johnson, 
Samuel Abbott. 

John Dawes, the retiring President, had been its presid- 
ing oflicer since the formation of the Club in 1858, making 
a continuous service of twenty years. He had long since 
become a familiar figure at the Fairs, and at all agricultural 
gatherings, had served faithfully in the field, and in very 
deed "grown gray in the service." The new President was 
a younger man, active and energetic, who had the ability 
to infuse new life into the almost dormant organization. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 273 

For the time the pubHc meetings of the Club seem to 
have been given up, but another Fair vi'as held on October 
8, 1869, which seems to have been almost entirely an ex- 
hibition of farm stock, and that quite limited. Fifty-nine 
entries of stock were reported, and only nine committees 
reported. This very small exhibition was in part due to 
bad weather and roads, and to a greater extent to a flag- 
ging interest, and a belief that the great effort that had 
been made in the past had not paid. Mr. Fernald, the 
Secretary, in his reports hints strongly at another reason. 
After summing up the show, and speaking of the almost 
entire lack of show indoors, he says : "It is hoped that 
when a suitable building shall be furnished, this branch 
of farming, as well as the products of mechanical skill 
and domestic industry and taste, may be more fully 
illustrated at each recurring Fair." 

At the meeting held on October 9th of this year it was 
voted that the Executive Committee "make arrangements 
for a series of meetings during the winter," but this does 
not seem to have been done, as the next that we have 
record of is a meeting held on March 14, 1870, "for the 
purpose of reorganization." Here the old officers were 
mostly re-elected, excepting the Executive Committee, 
which now consisted of Nathan Carsley, 2nd, Benjamin 
Stuart, Alphonso Moulton. It was voted that "it is in- 
expedient to appoint any meetings during the present spring 
on account of the bad state of the roads," and the meeting 
adjourned "without day." 

The Executive Committee succeeded in obtaining the 
use of the Free Baptist meeting-house for the indoor 
exhibitions, fairly successful shows were held in 1870 
and 1871, the ladies again contributing their full share 
towards them. If we remember correctly it was at one of 
these fairs that the innovation of an "admittance fee" 
was first proposed, the Executive Committee stating that 
they were tired of doing so much work for nothing, and 



274 A HISTORY OF THE 

then being called upon to pay a part of the expenses out 
of their own pockets, as they had done on the previous 
year. This proposed change created an uproar at once, 
and caused a great eruption of generosity on the part 
of some of the members which proved only temporary. 
The proposed change in method of managing proved to 
be the entering wedge to the full adoption very soon after- 
ward of the system of making the Fairs self-supporting, 
without any resort to begging. 

In 1872, the interest in the Club seemed to revive, and 
a series of nine meetings was held in various parts of 
the town during the winter and spring, of which somewhat 
elaborate records appear from Alphonso Moulton, the Sec- 
retary pro teni., of all of the meetings, who was a new 
man in the place, and seemed to take delight in doing 
lots of work for the Club "just for the fun of it." Lengthy 
reports appeared in the Bridgton Nczvs, and these reports 
became a regular feature of the Nezvs for a time, attract- 
ing considerable attention, the meetings being very success- 
ful, and the discussions quite interesting and instructive. 

On January i, 1873, at the annual meeting nearly a 
new board of officers was chosen, as follows : 

President — David Frost. 

Vice Presidents — Asa P. Whitney, William Perley. 

Secretary — Alphonso Moulton. 

Treasurer — Reuben Hobbs. 

Executive Committee — Nathan Carsley, 2nd, 

James G. Whitney, 
Benj. F. Stanley. 

The newly elected Secretary continued in the position 
as long as the Club was in existence, and also served in 
the same capacity when Harrison united with other towns 
in holding fairs. The last records that were made of the 
doings of the Club are under date of October, 1887, and 
are in his handwriting. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 2/5 

The annual meeting of 1873 was the first of a series 
of about ten, comprising some of the best that had ever 
been held under the auspices of the Club. As there seemed 
to be a greater interest in the southern and central por- 
tions of the town, meetings were held at the Center school- 
house once in two weeks during the winter season, when 
the weather permitted, and there were also several very 
interesting and well attended meetings at Bolster's Mills. 
This was before the organization of the Grange, and the 
Club was an organization that was doing much to edu- 
cate the farmers, make them more successful tillers of 
the soil, teach them that they were capable of thinking 
and talking for themselves, and to fit them for member- 
ship in the more powerful and far reaching farmers' or- 
ganization that was, even then, in existence in the West. 

There was a desire to do something to bring into exis- 
tence a larger organization than one confined to the limits 
of one small town, hence there was more or less talk in 
regard to joining with one or more outside towns in hold- 
ing fairs, and in 1873, a temporary union of Harrison 
and Otisfield was brought about, and a Union Fair held 
at Bolster's Mills, which was quite successful and sat- 
isfactory. There is no record of it in existence, but it 
is well remembered by some who took part in it that each 
town was represented on the temporary board of officers, 
Harrison taking the leading part on account of larger 
experience. It was found that it was impossible to create 
a permanent exhibition with such meager accommodations 
as could be furnished, and it was not deemed expedient to 
attempt anything further, although there was the best 
of feeling among the representatives of each town. 

During 1874 there was another series of lively meetings 
of the Club, with good discussions, thoughtful essays, and 
reading of selections from noted writers. There seemed 
to be a disposition to go somewhat outside of strictly 
agricultural matters, and to select some topics that had 



2/6 A HISTORY OF THE 

more than a local interest, showing that the farmers were 
being educated up to the fact that they were capable of 
thinking for themselves, and of discussing in an intelli- 
gent manner some topics that had been heretofore left 
to politicians with the understanding that the farmers 
would cheerfully agree to whatever they decided upon. 
Early in the year the Club discussed this question : "Does 
the Condition of the Agricultural Interests of the Country 
Demand any Special Effort in behalf of the Laboring 
Classes?" The President and Secretary presented care- 
fully prepared essays on the subject, and their reading 
was followed by an earnest discussion, which showed that 
the members had been reading and studying. At the next 
meeting came the question which logically followed this 
one — "What can be done to Improve the Condition of 
the Laboring Classes ?" — with essays by two of the mem- 
bers, and another lively discussion, in which one member 
took offense because some one had the temerity to reflect 
in some way upon some government official at Washington. 
Another topic before the Club soon after, showing that, 
even then, the farmers were looking ahead to educational 
matters, was this : "Resolved, That Agriculture and the 
Mechanic Arts should be taught in our Common Schools." 
Those who proposed this, and favored its adoption were 
many years ahead of the times, showing what the Farmers' 
Club had done to instill progressive ideas into the minds 
of its members. 

In the latter part of that year the Order of Patrons 
of Husbandry began to attract attention, and was discussed 
a length at two of the Club meetings, some of the prom- 
inent members strongly favoring it, while others opposed 
it as a trap for farmers, and still others were in doubt. 
Before the close of the year two Granges had been or- 
ganized in the town, and it is quite certain that they had 
a decided tendency to lessen the number of Club meet- 
ings and the interest that had been taken in them for 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 277 

some time, as prominent members of the Club had become 
active in the new organization, beHeving that it could 
accomplish much more in some directions than the Club 
could ever bring about. 

In 1876, it was decided to hold a Cattle Show and Fair 
at Harrison Village, using the Town House and the ad- 
joining grounds, and it proved to be the largest and most 
successful e.xhibition that had ever been held in the town, 
though it was managed upon principles different from those 
which had governed the former shows of this Club. At 
the meeting held on December 3, 1877, it was voted unan- 
imously that "Fairs should be held annually, and that 
they shall be governed by the same general principles 
under which the last two have been managed," and that 
they should be carried on in such a way as to be self- 
supporting. The fairs were held annually in 1877, 1878, 
and 1879, upon the theory that they support themselves 
without resort to begging, though there was some oppo- 
sition from outside sources. One member of the Exec- 
utive Committee, spurred on by some of this outside talk, 
made quite a flurry in the Club for a short time by pro- 
posing that the question of how to manage the fairs be 
submitted to the town at some town meeting, and that 
the Club be governed by the decision. This proposition 
was discussed very earnestly at two meetings, and then 
disposed of by the Club decisively voting that it was ca- 
pable of managing its own affairs, and intended to do so 
without any outside interference. 

Early in 1880, the matter of joining with some of the 
neighboring towns in holding Union Fairs was again agi- 
tated, and as the opinions of the leading farmers seemed 
to be favorable to the project, the Executive Committee 
of the Club issued invitations to the farmers of Bridg- 
ton, Waterford, and Otisfield, to meet with the members 
of the Harrison Club at Harrison Village on April 5th 
to discuss the matter. Harrison and Bridrton were the 



278 A HISTORY OF THE 

only towns represented at the conference, and, although 
more time was given and further invitations sent out, no 
other towns responded to the call. The Bridgton dele- 
gates deemed it advisable to unite with Harrison in the 
holding of a Union Fair, and voted to do so under the 
officers of the Harrison Club, with the addition of three 
members of the Executive Committee, the full committee 
consisting of the following members : Nathan Carsley, 
Charles H. Gould, Albion Carsley, Robert A. Barnard, 
C. C. W. Sampson, Cyrus M. Segon. 

Both towns entered into the matter earnestly, and worked 
together to the end. The Fair was held at the Town 
House, Harrison, and on the adjoining grounds, and was 
by all odds the largest and best show that had ever been 
held in town, though it was much crowded for lack of 
room. Financially it was also a success, paying all ex- 
penses and premiums, and having a small surplus remain- 
ing. So pleased were all with the success of the Union 
Fair that it was determined to organize a permanent so- 
ciety, to be known as "The Harrison and Bridgton Farm- 
ers' and Mechanics' Club," and this organization was per- 
fected at a meeting held at the Town House, Bridgton, 
on November 9, 1880. A constitution and by-laws were 
adopted, and the following officers elected : 
President — Byron Kimball. 
Vice Presidents — James G. Whitney, 

John P. Perley. 
Secretary and Treasurer — Alphonso Moulton. 
Assistant Secretary — Mellen Plummer. 
Executive Committee — George E. Chadbourne, 

Nathan Carsley, 
Charles H. Gould, 
Franklin Walker, 
Robert A. Barnard, 
George W. Emery, 
Albion Carsley. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 279 

The Fair for 1881 was held at Bridgton, and was a 
great success in every way, although one very rough, cold 
day interfered somewhat with the receipts. Town Hall 
was used for the agricultural and mechanical portions 
of the exhibition, and Gibbs Hall other departments, and 
both were crowded to repletion. Admission and entrance 
fees were charged, good premiums were paid in all de- 
partments, fodder was provided for all stock on exhi- 
bition, and good music provided for both days of the 
Fair. The financial success was such that the managers 
were able to pay all bills. 

The Fair of 1882 was held at Bridgton, there being much 
better accommodations, and the citizens being willing to 
contribute something in return so that larger premiums 
could be paid, and certain desirable features added. The 
last of the Union Fairs was held at Harrison, the corn 
shop being occupied by the indoor show, while the stock 
was displayed in the ample grounds adjoining. This year 
there were some changes in the board of officers, James G. 
Whitney being the new President; Thatcher P. Merrill 
and Wm. C. Hill, Vice Presidents ; Moses E. Hall, Assis- 
tant Secretary; George H. Cummings, Ruel A. Dodge, 
Albion Carsley, Charles H. Gould, John W. Caswell, Ex- 
ecutive Committee. The Fair vf&s successful, but some- 
what hampered by lack of suitable accommodations. It 
was the last exhibition held by the Bridgton and Harrison 
Club, although the union terminated with the utmost good 
feeling between the leaders of the movement in each town. 
Four most excellent fairs had been the result of the union, 
and if the State Aid, granted later, had then been avail- 
able it is by no means certain that this movement towards 
united action might not have been made a nucleus for 
a larger agricultural society, with permanent quarters at 
Bridgton. The managers had to be very careful in their 
management, and deny themselves some luxuries that more 
money would have warranted them, but it speaks well for 



28o A HISTORY OF THE 

the business ability of the officers that they were able to 
pay all bills and have a small surplus in the treasury, 
which was divided equally when the society was finally 
dissolved, and an Independent Club organized in Bridgton. 

During the existence of the Harrison and Bridgton 
Club the Harrison Club had not been active in any way, 
though its organization had been kept up in view of what 
might happen in the future. After it was found that 
there was no hope of further union fairs in connection 
with Bridgton or any other town, a meeting was held for 
consultation as to what was to be the future course of 
the Club which had so long been striving to advance the 
cause of agriculture in Harrison. It was held at the Cen- 
ter schoolhouse, with the veteran President, James G. 
Whitney, in the chair. At this and subsequent meetings 
the old board of officers was re-elected with a few changes, 
and it was unanimously voted that a Fair be held at the 
Village on October 5, 1886. 

The Fair appears to have been satisfactory and encourag- 
ing, for the Club proceeded at once to make preparations 
for a two days' Cattle Show and Fair at Harrison Village, 
on October 5 and 6, 1887, and this exhibition is mem- 
orable as being the last one held under the auspices of 
the old Club. The Fair seems to have been quite suc- 
cessful in the way of a show, and very creditable to the 
town, but financially it ran behind, though the managers 
were enabled to pay all expenses and premiums in full, 
by drawing on the small surplus which happened to be on 
hand. One reason why there was a small attendance was 
that the Club could not offer the attraction of a race 
course, which was becoming extremely popular in con- 
nection with the agricultural shows. The societies that 
could offer an attractive series of races were sure to draw 
the crowd at the expense of the ones that had no track. 
The managers carefully looked over the situation, and came 
to the conclusion that it was folly to attempt to con- 
tinue their fairs under the circumstances. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 28 1 

The Fair of 1887 was really the closing act of the 
Harrison Agricultural and Mechanics Club, — its final bow 
to the audience. For thirty years it had been before the 
public in the role of an association that was striving to 
help the farmers, and to bring them into closer contact 
for the mutual good of the whole body. Its course, 
though somewhat checkered, had not been strewn with 
many wrecks, and what it had done had been of un- 
questioned benefit to the whole town. It had been the 
means of educating the farmers to be more successful 
tillers of the soil, to make them thinkers as well as doers, 
to teach them to be independent and self-reliant, and that 
they were capable of standing in public and expressing 
their opinions in regard to the questions of the day. Not 
only was the organization known at home, but its fame 
had gone abroad through the liberal reports of its do- 
ings that had appeared in the Bridgton News, and other 
newspapers. Its members were a credit to the town, a 
band of agriculturists of which Harrison has good rea- 
son to be proud as it looks back over the years that are 
past and gone. Only a few of the active members are 
now left among the living. Nearly all have "gone the way 
of all the earth," and are reaping their reward in the 
great hereafter. They filled well the space of time allotted 
them, and strove to benefit their fellow men according 
to the light that was in them. The community certainly 
has no cause to regret that this little band was among 
its citizens in the past. 

During the time that Harrison and Bridgton were unit- 
ing in holding fairs there was more or less dissatisfaction 
at South Harrison on account of location, and other rea- 
sons, and this took form in quite a portion of the citi- 
zens there joining certain other citizens of Naples in the 
holding of "Union Fairs" at Edes's Falls in 1883-84, but 
there seems to have been no hard feelings in the matter, 
for the reports show that patrons of the Harrison and 



282 A HISTORY OF THE 

Bridgton shows were also exhibitors and helpers at the 
"Union Fairs." It appears that these fairs were quite 
successful, especially the one in 1884, at which there was 
a very large show of cattle, the Town Teams comprising 
seventy-six pairs of cattle, which made quite an impos- 
ing show when they were strung out in the procession. 
Harrison won the first prize on its team of twenty-two 
pairs, but Naples "went one better" in numbers, having 
twenty-three pairs in its team. Casco had sixteen pairs, 
and Naples ten. There was an extensive show of vege- 
tables and farm produce, and a baby show where ten young 
hopefuls were on display, and the first prize awarded 
to a "baby" who is now a successful teacher in Harrison. 
The exhibition was regarded as a "complete success," but 
for some reason it was the last show at that place. 

In 1886 and 1887, fairs were once more held at Harri- 
son, as has been related, and the people seemed fairly well 
united in their support. It was not, however, deemed ad- 
visable to continue these fairs for reasons which have 
been already set forth. When it was decided that there 
was to be no fair at the Village in 1888, the "South Har- 
rison Contingent" made itself manifest once more, and, 
largely through the efforts of James H. Hamilton, a new 
comer in town, it was decided to hold a Fair at South 
Harrison on Hamilton's grounds, which comprised the fa- 
mous "Colonel Thomes Farm." Considering the territory 
represented by the Fair, and the short time in which it 
was gotten up, it was really a very creditable show. En- 
couraged by their success, the same parties led off in hold- 
ing a "Union Fair" in 1889, at the extreme south part 
of the town, at the farm now occupied by S. P. Pen- 
dexter, the spacious buildings there being unoccupied. Parts 
of Harrison, Naples and Casco were represented, and the 
report in the Bridgton News speaks of the show as a 
"thoroughly good one," and says : "The managers are 
enthusiastic over the success of their show, and just now 
are 'red hot' for a bigger and better one next year." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 2S3 

As has been said, the "horse trot" was coming very 
much to the front at the fairs, and Harrison was not ex- 
empt from the fever. Hence the next move was to make 
a permanent organization, and lease or buy land for their 
grounds where a race track could be built, and the move- 
ment finally resulted in their securing a part of the Wm. 
H. Johnson farm, and getting the grounds sufficiently pre- 
pared so that a Fair with a horse trot attached was held 
in 1890, Dr. H. H. Cole being the President of the So- 
ciety, and Joseph S. Chaplin the Secretary. Everj^thing 
was in a crude state, but the show was successful to the 
satisfaction of the managers, and they decided to make 
the Fair a permanent thing, finished up the track, put up 
a good-sized exhibition hall, with ofiices, dining-hall, and 
kitchen on the first floor ; erected horse stalls and stables ; 
and partially fenced the grounds. Harrison people took 
hold of the work in quite good shape, and were assisted 
by many in Naples, and other towns, and to such an ex- 
tent did the movement "take root" that the Fair of 1890 
was the first of sixteen consecutive exhibitions to be held 
on the "South Harrison Fair Grounds." 

The next move was to have the "Society" legally incor- 
porated under the name of "The Northern Cumberland 
Agricultural Society," the intention being to make it the 
nucleus of a quite pretentious County Society, and to put 
it in line for a portion of the "State Stipend" which was 
being paid to societies that complied with certain condi- 
tions. The permanent organization was effected early in 
1 89 1, and the following officers elected: 

President — Cyrus K. Foster. 

Vice Presidents — Andrew Chute, Richard Cook. 

Secretary — Alphonso Moulton. 

Treasurer — Daniel C. Chaplin. 

Trustees — James H. Hamilton, 

Ambrose G. Chaplin, 

John Johnson, 

Hermon Cook, 

James Thomes. 



284 A HISTORY OF THE 

Harrison, Naples, and Casco were represented in tlie 
organization, and all of the towns had representatives in 
the organization as long as it was in existence. As soon as 
possible the track was put in as good condition as the na- 
ture of the ground would admit, and for some years a 
good field of horses was present at each Fair, and the 
horsemen over a large territory took quite an interest in 
the shows. The exhibitions of farm stock were quite ex- 
tensive, and some of the displays in the hall were well 
worthy of being the work of some of the more preten- 
tious societies. The managers labored incessantly, and 
were in no way found wanting, but the drawback of situa- 
tion was an insurmountable obstacle. The grounds were 
so "out of the way," and so difficult of access, that the 
crowds in attendance on the average were not what the 
shows deserved, nor what was necessary to make the ex- 
hibitions a financial success. The managers had hard work 
to pay the bills, even with the help of the "State Stipend." 
For the few first years there was a small surplus, but soon 
people began to lose their interest, and the attendance 
grew smaller. The managers offered fresh attractions, 
but it was a battle against fate. After a noble struggle 
against great odds the Trustees found that the situation 
was yearly growing worse, and ended the struggle with 
the "Fifteenth Annual" in 1904. Early in 1905, the build- 
ings and fixtures were sold at auction, and the "Northern 
Cumberland Agricultural Society" dissolved after a check- 
ered career of fifteen years. 

A few determined ones still held out, and were bound 
to try once more. A small show, and a still smaller crowd 
in attendance, was the result. It was the "last expiring 
gasp" of a society that probably could have been made 
permanent if a suitable location could have been found 
at the start. The track has grown up to grass and bushes, 
and the buildings have been taken down and hauled away. 
Little now remains to indicate the existence for sixteen 



TOWX OF HARRISON. 285 

years of the "Crooked River Trotting Park," as the Fair 
Grounds were frequently called on the bills. The exhibi- 
tion hall was sold to Naples Grange, hauled to Naples 
Village and made into a fine Grange Hall in 1906. 

The Farmers' Club which for thirty years was in the 
field in behalf of agriculture, has passed away, and the 
grass has grown over its grave for twenty years ; all of 
the attempts to unite with other towns in the holding 
of fairs have proved abortive after a brief period ; the 
attempted "County Society," after a hard struggle for life, 
prolonged through fifteen years, died from the effects 
of bad location ; and no other agricultural society whose 
chief purpose is the holding of annual fairs has arisen 
to take the place of the defunct organizations. Two large 
Granges have their headquarters in the town, but they 
prefer to spend the chief part of their energy in matters 
which they regard as of more consequence than fairs. 
With the numberless agricultural fairs in the towns sur- 
rounding us, which can be so easily reached, it seems to 
be the conclusion of our people that a fair in this town 
would not be of advantage to our farmers. A few of 
them now exhibit at Bridgton, and a few others patronize 
the great Fair at Norway, but the town which for more 
than forty years was famous for fairs which no other 
single town could equal, holds them no longer in its bor- 
ders. 



286 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER X. 



MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS. 



LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS SINCE THE INCORPO- 
RATION OF THE TOWN. 



The following is a full list of the Town Officers for each 
year since the incorporation of the town : 

1805. — Moderator — Joel Simmons. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Benjamin Foster, Stephen 

Stiles. 
Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1806. — Moderator — Simeon Caswell. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Stephen Stiles, Nathaniel 

Burnham. 
Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1807. — Moderator — Simeon Caswell. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Ezra Thomes, Stephen Stiles. 

Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1808. — Moderator — Benjamin Foster. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Ezra Thomes, Stephen Stiles. 

Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1809. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel Burnham, John Woodsum, Ben- 
jamin Foster. 
Treasurer — Samuel Willard. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 287 

1810. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel Burnham, John Woodsum, Benja- 
min Foster. 

181 1. — Moderator — Simeon Caswell. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Benjamin Foster, James H. 

Chadbourn. 
Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1812. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — Samuel Willard. 

Selectmen — Samuel Willard, Benjamin Foster, James H. 

Chadbourn. 
Treasurer — Nathaniel Burnham. 

1813. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — James H. Chadbourn, Nathaniel Burnham, 

Amos Thomes. 
Treasurer — James Sampson. 

1814. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — James H. Chadbourn, Nathaniel Burnham, 

Amos Thomes. 
Treasurer — Ebenezer Carsley. 

1815. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — James H. Chadbourn, Nathaniel Burnham, 

Amos Thomes. 
Treasurer — Samuel Scribner. 

1816. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — James H. Chadbourn, Nathaniel Burnham, Ben- 
jamin Chadbourn. 
Treasurer — Charles Walker. 

1817. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel Burnham, Amos Thomes, Charles 

Walker. 
Treasurer — James Sampson. 



288 A HISTORY OF THE 

1818. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Amos Themes, John Woodsum, Charles 

Walker. 
Treasurer — Samuel Willard. 

1819. — Moderator — Samuel Willard. 

Clerk — -James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel Burnham, Amos Thomes, Benjamin 

Foster. 
Treasurer — Samuel Willard. 

1820. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel Burnham, Amos Thomes, Charles 

Walker, Jr. 
Treasurer — Samuel Willard. 

1821. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Amos Thomes, Charles Walker, Jr., Jacob 

Emerson. 
Treasurer — Benjamin Foster. 

1822. — Moderator — Benjamin Carsley. 

Clerk ^ James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Amos Thomes, Charles Walker, Jr., Joel Whit- 
more. 

Treasurer — Benjamin Foster. 

School Committee — Grinfill Blake, Charles Walker, Jr., 
Joel Whitmore. 

1823. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — James H. Chadbourn. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Jacob Emerson, Went- 

worth Stuart. 
Treasurer — Samuel Scribner. 
School Committee — Amos Thomes, Joel Whitmore, Charles 

Walker, Jr. 

1824. — Moderator — Simeon Caswell. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Jacob Emerson, Went- 
worth Stuart. 

Treasurer — Samuel Scribner. 

School Committee — Wentworth Stuart, Benjamin M. San- 
born, Aaron W. Huntress. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 289 

1825. — Moderator — Amos Themes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, James 

H. Chadbourn. 
Treasurer — Oliver Peirce. 
School Committee — Charles Walker, Jr., Charles Washburn, 

Thomas J. Carter. 

1826. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Charles Washburn, James 

H. Chadbourn. 
Treasurer — Oliver Peirce. 
School Committee — Charles Walker, Jr., Charles Washburn, 

Thomas J. Carter. 

182-. — Moderator — Benjamin Carsley. 
Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 
Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Jacob Emerson, Daniel 

Witham. 
Treasurer — Oliver Peirce. 
School Committee — Charles Washburn, Joseph Phinney, 

Thomas Phinney. 

1828. — Moderator — Benjamin Carsley. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Jacob Emerson, Daniel 

Witham. 
School Committee — Charles Washburn, Thomas Phinney, 

Harrison Blake. 

1829. — Moderator — Benjamin Carsley. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Benjamin Foster, Joel Whitmore, Isaac Bol- 
ster. 

Treasurer — Walker Brackett. 

School Committee — Charles Washburn, Thomas Phinney, 
Harrison Blake. 

1830. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Joel Whitmore, Amos 

Thomes. 
Treasurer — James H. Chadbourn. 
School Committee — Charles Walker, Jr., Joel Whitmore, 

Amos Thomes. 



290 



A HISTORY OF THE 



William Haskell, John 
Harrison Blake, 



1831. — Moderator — Samuel Scribner. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., William Haskell, 2nd, 

Wentworth Stuart. 
Treasurer — James H. Chadbourn. 
School Committee — Samuel Scribner, Reuben Burnham, 

Bani Burnham. 

1832. — Moderator — John Dawes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., William Haskell, 2nd, 

Joseph Phinney. 
Treasurer — James H. Chadbourn. 
School Committee — 

1833. — Moderator — John Dawes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 
Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., 

Dawes. 
School Committee — Charles Washburn, 

Cyrus K. Conant. 

1834. • — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, William 

Haskell. 
Treasurer — James H. Chadbourn. 
School Committee — Liberty Kilgore, Grinfill Blake, Thomas 

Phinney. 

1835. — Moderator — John Dawes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, William 
Haskell. 

Treasurer — James H. Chadbourn. 

School Committee — Grinfill Blake, Charles Washburn, Cy- 
rus K. Conant. 

1836. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, Went- 
worth Stuart. 

Treasurer- — Levi Burnham. 

School Committee — Luther Rogers, Grinfill Blake, Lib- 
erty Kilgore. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 201 

1837. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, William 

Haskell. 
Treasurer — Hosea H. Huntress. 
School Committee — Philip Eastman, E. H. Thomes, Luther 

Rogers. 

1838. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., William Haskell, Seth 

Carsley. 
Treasurer — Hosea H. Huntress. 
School Committee — Philip Eastman, Charles Washburn, 

Luther Rogers. 

1839. — Moderator — John Dawes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., William Haskell, Jacob 
Emerson. 

Treasurer- — Hosea H. Huntress. 

School Committee — Philip Eastman, Luther Rogers, Fran- 
cis Blake. 

1840. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., William Haskell, Went- 
worth Stuart. 

Treasurer — Hosea H. Huntress. 

School Committee — Philip Eastman, Luther Rogers, Fran- 
cis Blake. 

1841. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Amos Thomes, Bani 

Burnham. 
Treasurer — Edward Stanley. 
School Committee — Luther Rogers, Mark R. Hopkins, 

Thomas Phinney. 

1S42. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Amos Thomes, Bani Burnham, Hosea H. Hunt- 
ress. 

Treasurer — Wentworth Stuart. 

School Committee — Luther Rogers, Francis Blake, George 
F. Foster. 



292 A HISTORY OF THE 

1843. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Charles Walker, Jr., Hosea H. Huntress, 

Thomas Phinney. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 
School Committee — Francis Blake, Cyril Pearl, Josiah M. 

Blake. 

1844. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Harrison Blake, Bani Burnham, Shepherd 

Hawk. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 
School Committee — Thomas Phinney, Cyril Pearl, William 

D. Jones. 

1845. — Moderator — Amos Thomes. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Abner Libby, Henry Roby. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — Johnson Warren, S. L. Andrews, 
Stephen Hutchinson. 

1846. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Charles Walker, Jr. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Hosea H. Huntress, Tim- 
othy D. Burnham. 

Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — John E. Dunnells, William Libby, 
Stephen Hutchinson. 

1847. — Moderator — Francis Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas T. Peirce. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, George Peirce, James Wes- 
ton. 

Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — John E. Dunnells, Ariel P. Chute, 
Horace A. Barrows. 

1848. — Moderator — Francis Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas T. Peirce. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Bani Burnham, James Wes- 
ton. 

Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — Ariel P. Chute, John E. Dunnells, 
William Libby. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 293 

1849. — Moderator — George F. Foster. 

Clerk — Thomas T. Peirce. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Sumner Burnham, William 

Twombly. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 
School Committee — William V. Carsley, Samuel Thomes, 

Joshua Howard. 

1850. — Moderator — George F. Foster. 

Clerk — Thomas T. Peirce. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Sumner Burnham, William 

Twombly. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 
School Committee — Joshua Howard, Thomas Phinney, 

David Libby. 

1851. — Moderator — Sumner Burnham. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Thomas Phinney, Sumner Burnham, Ezra T. 

Ingalls. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Charles Packard, Joshua Howard, 

John E. Dunnells. 

1852. — Moderator — Francis Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Francis Blake, Ezra T. Ingalls, Isaac Hall. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 

School Committee — Joshua Howard, John E. Dunnells, 
Liberty Kilgore. 

Under a new law only one member of the School Com- 
mittee was chosen each year, the term being for three years, 
and the chairman going off the board every year. The names 
of the full board will be given each year. 

1853. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Thomas R. Sampson, Ezra T. Ingalls, Isaac 

Hall. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — John E. Dunnells, Liberty Kilgore, 

Albion Cobb. 



294 A HISTORY OF THE 

1854. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen ■ — Thomas R. Sampson, Ezra T. Ingalls, Isaac 

Hall. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Liberty Kilgore, Albion Cobb, Francis 

Blake. 

1855. — Moderator — Harrison Blake. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Bani Burnham, William Twombly, Eben S. 

Caswell. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Albion Cobb, Joshua Howard, John 

E. Dunnells. 

1856. — Moderator — -Joshua Howard. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Ezra T. Ingalls, Isaac Hall, Amos Small. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — Joshua Howard, Freeman Hall, Al- 
bion Cobb. 

1857. • — Moderator — Sumner Burnham. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Sumner Burnham, Silas Blake, Cyrus Haskell. 
Treasurer — Silas Blake. 

School Committee — Freeman Hall, Albion Cobb, Orin 
Bartlett. 

1858. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Sumner Burnham, Silas Blake, Cyrus Haskell. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 

School Committee — Edward P. Stanley, Orin Bartlett, 
George S. Kilgore. 

1859. — Moderator — James M. Edwards. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen^ Bani Burnham, Ezra T. Ingalls, Solomon L. 

Andrews. 
Treasurer — Joshua Howard. 
Supervisor of Schools — J. Wendall Weston. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 295 

i860. — Moderator — James M. Edwards. 
Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 
Selectmen — Bani Burnham, Ezra T. Ingalls, William 

Twombly. 
Treasurer — Joshua Howard. 
Supervisor of Schools — John E. Dunnells. 

1861. — Moderator — James J.I. Edwards. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Silas Blake, Joshua Howard, William Twombly. 

Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Supervisor of Schools — S. Loton Weston. 

1862. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Philander Tolman, Joshua Howard, William 

Twombly. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
Supervisor — Joshua Howard. 

1863. — Moderator — Almon A. Strout. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Albert Gray, William V. 

Carsley. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Joshua Howard, Moses E. Hall, Fer- 

nald J. Sawyer. 

1864. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Obadiah G. Cook, Samuel Thomes, Edward 

K. Whitney. 
Treasurer — Samuel Walker, Jr. 
School Committee — S. Loton Weston, David Frost, Orin 

Bartlett. 

1865. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, James E. Flood, Christopher 

C. W. Sampson. 
Treasurer — Joshua Howard. 
School Committee — S. Loton Weston, Orin Bartlett, David , 

Frost. 



296 A HISTORY OF THE 

1866. — Moderator — Joshua Howard. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, C. C. W. Sampson, Ezra T. 

Ingalls. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Orin Bartlett, David Frost, Silas Bul- 

lard. 

1867. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, C. C. W. Sampson, Ezra 

T. Ingalls. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — David Frost, Silas Bullard, S. Loton 

Weston. 

1868. — Moderator — Caleb A. Chaplin. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, C. C. W. Sampson, Ezra T. 

Ingalls. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — Silas Bullard, S. Loton Weston, David 

Frost. 

1869. — Moderator — Samuel Themes. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — William Twombly, Albert Gray, Charles E. 

Stuart. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 
School Committee — S. Loton Weston, David Frost, William 

M. Brooks. 

1870. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — S. Loton Weston. 

Selectmen — Caleb A. Chaplin, Albert Gray, Samuel Thomes. 
Treasurer — Thomas R. Sampson. 

School Committee — David Frost, William M. Brooks, S. 
Loton Weston. 

1871. — Moderator — Caleb A. Chaplin. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Caleb A. Chaplin, Albert Gray, Samuel Thomes. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — William M. Brooks, S. Loton Weston, 
Caleb A. Chaplin. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 297 

1872. — Moderator — Caleb A. Chaplin. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Caleb A. Chaplin, Albert Gray, Samuel Thomes. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — S. Loton Weston, Caleb A. Chaplin, 
William M. Brooks. 

1873. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Josiah Monroe, George H. Cummings, George 

W. Brackett. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Caleb A. Chaplin, William M. Brooks, 

Horatio H. Cole. 

1874. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, David Frost, George W. 

Brackett. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — William M. Brooks, Horatio H. Cole, 

Obadiah G. Cook. 

1875. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, James W. Weston, Reuben 

Hobbs. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Horatio H. Cole, Obadiah G. Cook, 

William M. Brooks. 

1876. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert Gray, George H. Cummings, Nathaniel 

H. Seavey. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Obadiah G. Cook, William M. Brooks, 

L. W. Raymond. 

1877. — Moderator — Obadiah G. Cook. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, Samuel Thomes, Na- 
thaniel H. Seavey. 

Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — Horatio H. Cole, L. W. Raymond, S. 
Loton Weston. 



298 A HISTORY OF THE 

1878. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, Newell A. Trafton, 

Nathaniel H. Seavey. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — L. W. Raymond, S. Loton Weston, 

Horatio H. Cole. 

1879. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert Gray, John W. Caswell, Moses E. Hall. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — S. Loton Weston, Horatio H. Cole, 
Alphonso Moulton. 

1880. — Moderator — Philander Tolman. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, John W. Caswell, Moses 

E. Hall. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Horatio H. Cole, Alphonso Moulton, 

S. Loton Weston. 

1881. — Moderator — Nathaniel H. Seavey. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel H. Seavey, William V. Carsley, John 

Johnson. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Alphonso Moulton, S. Loton Weston. 

Horatio H. Cole. 

1882. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Franklin Walker, John John- 
son. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — S. Loton Weston, Horatio H. Cole, 
Alphonso Moulton. 

1883. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Robert Wells, John Johnson. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — Horatio H. Cole, Alphonso Moulton, 
S. Loton Weston. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 299 

1884. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Thomas R. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Robert Wells, John Johnson. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — Alphonso Moulton, S. Loton Weston, 
Horatio H. Cole. 

1885. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Moses E. Hall, George E. 

Tarbo.x. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — S. Loton Weston, Horatio H. Cole, 
Charles S. Cook. 

1886. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Moses E. Hall, George E. 

Tarbox. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 

School Committee — Horatio H. Cole, George S. Pitts, Aus- 
tin W. Taylor. 

1887. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, George E. Tarbox, Quincy 

M. Chute. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — George S. Pitts, Austin W. Taylor, 

Horatio H. Cole. 

1888. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Joshua Howard, Moses E. Hall, Quincy M. 

Chute. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
School Committee — Alphonso Moulton, Horatio H. Cole, 

George S. Pitts. 

1889. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel H. Seavey, Perley W. Kilbourne, 

John C. Frost. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
Supervisor of Schools — Horatio H. Cole. 



300 A HISTORY OF THE 

1890. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Nathaniel H. Seavey, George E. Tarbox, John 

C. Frost. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
Supervisor of Schools — Horatio H. Cole. 

The Supervisor of Schools died on November 7th, and 
Alphonso Moulton was appointed to fill the unexpired term. 

1891. — Moderator — James P. Lown. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Marshall Jordan, James Thomes, David E 

Caswell. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
Supervisor of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

1892. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Marshall Jordan, Charles L. Walker, Quincy 

M. Chute. 
Treasurer — Albion K. Morse. 
Supervisor of Schools — Albert W. Weston. 

1893. — Moderator- — James P. Lown. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, Charles L. Walker, Joseph 

Pitts. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Supervisor of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

1894. — Moderator — Charles E. Stuart. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, Charles L. Walker, Joseph 

Pitts. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
School Committee — George S. Pitts, Albert F. Davis, 

Charles B. Sylvester, Alphonso Moulton, William L. 

Grover. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

Under a new law the number of members of School 
Committee was increased to five, and this body chose a 
Superintendent. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 3OI 

1895. — Moderator — James P. Lown. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, Charles L. Walker, 

James Thomes. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
School Committee — Albert F. Davis, Charles B. Sylvester, 

William L. Grover, George S. Pitts, Alphonso Moulton. 
Superintendent of Schools — • Charles B. Sylvester. 

1896. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howrard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, Albert B. Caswell, Adelbert 
C. Buck. 

Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 

School Committee — Charles B. Sylvester, Alphonso Moul- 
ton, George S. Pitts, Albert F. Davis, Edward A. 
Wight. 

Superintendent of Schools — George S. Pitts. 

1897. — Moderator — William L. Grover. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert B. Caswell, George E. Tarbox, Joseph 
S. Chaplin. 

Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 

School Committee — Alphonso Moulton, William L. Grover, 
Albert W. Weston, Edward A. Wight, Charles B. Syl- 
vester. 

Superintendent of Schools — Edward A. Wight. 

1898. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert B. Caswell, Albert W. Weston, Joseph 

S. Chaplin. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioner — James Thomes. 
School Committee — Charles B. Sylvester, James P. Blake, 

William L. Grover. 
Superintendent of Schools — George S. Pitts. 

Under a change of law the Superintending School 
Committee was reduced to three members, and the Superin- 
tendent was chosen by the town. 



302 A HISTORY OF THE 

1899. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 
Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 
Selectmen — Albert B. Caswell, Albert W. Weston, Joseph 

S. Chaplin. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioner • — James Thomes. 
School Committee — James P. Blake, William L. Grover. 

Charles B. Sylvester. 
Superintendent of Schools — George S. Pitts. 

1900.- — Moderator — George E. Tarbox. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert W. Weston, Joseph S. Chaplin, Victor 
L. Jordan. 

Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 

Road Commissioner — James Thomes. 

School Committee — William L. Grover, Charles B. Syl- 
vester, James P. Blake. 

Superintendent of Schools — Edward A. Wight. 

1901. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert W. Weston, Victor L. Jordan, Melvin 

T. Merrow. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioner — James Thomes. 
School Committee — Charles B. Sylvester, James P. Blake, 

Quincy M. Chute. 
Superintendent of Schools — George S. Pitts. 

1902. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Albert W. Weston, Victor L. Jordan, Melvin 

T. Merrow. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioner — James Thomes. 
School Committee — James P. Blake, Quincy M. Chute, 

Charles B. Sylvester. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 3O3 

1903. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — George H. Cummings, Andrew B. Jordan, 
James Thomes. 

Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 

Road Commissioners — William H. Briggs, Hermon Thomp- 
son, Henry L. Jillson. (Appointed by Selectmen.) 

School Committee — Quincy M. Chute, Charles B. Sylves- 
ter, James P. Blake. 

Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

1904. — Moderator — J. Bennett Pike. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, James Thomes, Hermon 

Thompson. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioners — The Selectmen. 
School Committee — George D. Skillings, James P. Blake, 

George E. Tarbox. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

Under another change of the law the Superintendent 
was chosen by the School Committee. 

1905- — Moderator — Nathan C. Pinkham. 
Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 
Selectmen — Albert W. Weston, Victor L. Jordan, Hermon 

Thompson. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 

Road Commissioners — Rollin L. Davis, Henry L. Jillson. 
School Committee — James P. Blake, George E. Tarbox, 

George D. Skillings. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

1906. — Moderator — Nathaniel H. Seavey. 
Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 
Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, George D. Skillings, James 

P. Blake. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Road Commissioner — James Thomes. 
School Committee — George E. Tarbox, George D. Skillings, 

James P. Blake. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 



304 A HISTORY OF THE 

1907. — Moderator — George E. Tarbox. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, Victor L. Jordan, George 

D. Skillings. 
School Committee — George D. Skillings, James P. Blake, 

George E. Tarbox. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

1908. — Moderator — George S. Pitts. 

Clerk — Howard L. Sampson. 

Selectmen — Quincy M. Chute, J. T. Kneeland, Lewis F. 

Briggs. 
Treasurer — Albert S. Pitts. 
Town Agent — George S. Pitts. 
School Committee — Frank P. Bennett, Arthur P. Stanley, 

George E. Tarbox. 
Superintendent of Schools — Alphonso Moulton. 

To fill vacancy occasioned by the decease of Mr. Moul- 
ton, Mrs. Vida Green was appointed to serve the rest 
of the year. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



305 



Collectors. 



1805, 


John Woodsum. 


1856, 


1806-7, 


Jacob Emerson. 


I8S7, 


1808, 


Seth Carsley. 


1858, 


1809, 


Peter Gilson. 


1859, 


I8I0, 


Samuel Scribner. 


i860. 


I8II-I2, 


Simeon Caswell. 


1861, 


I8I3, 


Benjamin Foster. 


1862-68, 


I8I4-IS, 


Simeon Caswell. 


1869-70, 


I8I6, 


Jacob Emerson. 


1871, 


I8I7, 


Walker Brackett. 


1872, 


1 81 8, 


Samuel Scribner. 


1873, 


1 81 9, 


Benjamin Chadbourne. 


1874, 


1820, 


Joel Whitmore. 


1875-76, 


1821-22, 


Israel Harmon. 


1877, 


1823-26, 


Walker Brackett. 


1878, 


1827, 


Alonzo Robbins. 


1879, 


1828-29, 


Walker Brackett. 


1880, 


1830, 


Cyrus K. Conant. 


1881-83, 


1831-32, 


Otis Carter. 


1884, 


1833, 


Henry Robie. 


1885-86, 


1834, 


John P. Lowell. 


1887, 


1835, 


Haskell Peirce. 


1888-89, 


1836, 


Walker Brackett. 


1890, 


1837, 


John P. Lowell 


1891, 


1838-39, 


Wentworth Stuart. 


1892, 


1840-44, 


Edward Stanley. 


1893-97, 


184s, 


Reuben Ingalls. 


1898-99. 


1846, 


Worthy C. Barrows. 


1900-02, 


1847, 


George F. Foster. 


1903-04, 


1848, 


Wentworth Stuart. 


1905, 


1849-52. 


Samuel S. Stanley. 


1906, 


i8S3, 


Daniel Mayberry. 


1907. 


i8S4, 


Bani Burnham. 


1908, 


185s, 


Daniel Mayberry. 





Bani Burnham. 
Nathan Potter. 
Reuben Hobbs. 
William Twombly. 
Charles E. Stuart. 
Levi Burnham. 
Charles E. Stuart. 
Charles T. Thomes. 
Reuben Hobbs. 
Levi Burnham. 
Caleb A. Chaplin. 
Reuben Hobbs. 
George W. Newcomb. 
Freeman J. Dunn. 
William Twombly. 
George W. Newcomb. 
Nathan Carsley. 
William Chute. 
Nathaniel S. Wight. 
George S. Pitts. 
Cliarles E. Roberts. 
John Walker. 
Silas C. Pitts. 
Lyman Shedd. 
James Thomes. 
Lyman Shedd. 
James Thomes. 
George P. Carsley. 
Silas C. Pitts. 
Dexter B. Brown. 
James Thomes. 
John E. Proctor. 
Albert S. Pitts. 



306 A HISTORY OF THE 



A'OTE FOR GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



1806. — James Sullivan, Dein. Rep., 19; Caleb Strong, Fed., 5. 

1807. — James Sullivan, Dem. Rep., 35; Caleb Strong, Fed., 7. 

1808. — James Sullivan. Dem. Rep., 27; Christopher Gore, Fed., 15; 

Lothrop Lewis, I. 

1809. — Levi Lincoln, Dem. Rep., 31; Christopher Gore, Fed., 25. 

1810. — Elbridge Gerry, Dem. Rep., 33; Christopher Gore, Fed., 22. 

1811. — Elbridge Gerry, Dem. Rep., 33; Christopher Gore, Fed., 16. 

1812. — Caleb Strong, Fed., 41; Elbridge Gerry, Dem. Rep., 33. 

1813. — Caleb Strong, Fed., 33; Joseph B. Varnum, Dem. Rep., 22. 

1814. — Caleb Strong, Fed., 43; Samuel De.xter, Dem. Rep., 30; 

William Phillips, i. 

1815. — Samuel Dexter, Dem. Rep., 39; Caleb Strong, Fed., 34. 

1816. — Samuel Dexter, Dem. Rep., 44; John Brooks, Fed., 29. 

1817. — Henry Dearborn, Dem. Rep., 33; John Brooks, Fed., 29. 
1818. — John Brooks, Fed., 30; Benjamin \V. Crowningshield, Dem. 

Rep., 25. 
1819. — Benjamin W. Crowningshield, Dem. Rep., 26; John Brooks, 
Fed., 25. 



VOTE FOR GOVERNOR OF MAINE. 



1820. — William King, Rep., 63. 

1821. — Albion K. Parris, Rep., 38; Ezekiel Whitman, Fed., 30. 

1822. — Albion K. Parris, Rep., 47; Ezekiel Whitman, Fed., 16. 
1823. — Albion K. Parris, Rep., 54. 

1824. — Albion K. Parris, Rep., 62. 
1825. — Albion K. Parris, Rep., 58. 

1826. — Enoch Lincoln, Rep., 67. 

1827. — Enoch Lincoln, Rep., 43. 

1828. — Enoch Lincoln, Rep., 86. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 307 

1829. — Jonathan G. Hunton, Nat. Rep., 95; Samuel E. Smith, Dem. 

Rep., 64. 

1830. — Jonathan G. Hunton, Nat. Rep., 95; Samuel E. Smith, 

Dem. Rep., 76. 

1831. — Samuel E. Smith, Dem. Rep., 77; Daniel Goodnow, Nat. 

Rep., 70. 

1832. — Samuel E. Smith, Dem. Rep., 104; Daniel Goodnow, Nat. 

Rep., 99. 

1833. — Robert P. Dunlap, Dem., 77; Daniel Goodnow, Whig, 67; 

Thomas A. Hill, Anti-Mason, 3. 

1834. — Peleg Sprague, Whig, 125; Robert P. Dunlap, Dem., 76; 

Thomas A. Hill, Anti-Mason, 2. 
1835. — Robert P. Dunlap, Dem., 65; William King, Whig, 57. 

1836. — Edward Kent, Whig, 100; Robert P. Dunlap, Dem., 78. 

1837. — Edward Kent, Whig, no; Gorham Parks, Dem., 91. 
1838. — Edward Kent, Whig, 152; John Fairfield, Dem., 106. 
1839- — John Fairfield, Dem., 102; Edward Kent, Whig, 98. 

1840. — Edward Kent, Whig, 151; John Fairfield, Dem., 102. 

1841. — Edward Kent, Whig, 126; John Fairfield, Dem., 98. 

1842. — John Fairfield, Dem., 88; Edward Robinson, Whig, 59; 

James Appleton, Liberty, 24. 

1843. — Hugh J. Anderson, Dem., 76; James Appleton, Liberty, 65; 

Edward Robinson, Whig, 21. 

1844. — Hugh J. Anderson, Dem., 101 ; Edward Robinson, Whig, 

82; James Appleton, Liberty, 56. 

1845. — Hugh J. Anderson, Dem., 93 ; Samuel Fessenden, Liberty, 

58; Freeman H. Morse, Whig, 52. 

1846. — John W. Dana, Dem., 62; Samuel Fessenden, Liberty, 55; 

David Bronson, Whig, 57. 

1847. — John W. Dana, Dem., yy ; Samuel Fessenden, Liberty, 46 ; 

David Bronson, Whig, 26. 
1848. — John W. Dana, Dem., 94; Samuel Fessenden, Liberty, 78; 

Elijah L. Hamlin, Whig, 26. 
1849. — John Hubbard, Dem., 82; George F. Talbot, Free Soil, 64; 

Elijah L. Hamlin, Whig, 40. 
1850. — John Hubbard, Dem., 112; George F. Talbot, Free Soil, 69; 

William G. Crosby, Whig, 45. 
1851.- No Election. 



308 A HISTORY OF THE 

1852. — John Hubbard, Dcm., 135; Anson G. Chandler, Anti-Me. 

Lazv. 117; William G. Crosby, Whig, 31; Ezekiel 
Holmes, Free Soil, i. 

1853. — Albert Pillsbury, Dem., in ; Ezekiel Holmes, Free Soil, 80; 

William G. Crosby, Whig, 38; Anson P. Morrill, Me. 
Law, 33. 

1854. — Anson P. Morrill, Mc. Law and K. N., 149; Albion K. 

Parris, Dem., 76; Shepherd Cary, Op. Dem., 18; 
Isaac Reed, Whig, 12. 

1855. — Anson P. Morrill, Ref., 156; Samuel Wells, Dem., 143; 

Isaac Reed, Whig, 2. 

1856. — Hannibal Hamlin, Reti., 189; Samuel Wells, Dem., 141; 

George F. Patten, Whig, i. 

1857. — Lot M. Morrill, Rep., 143; Manasseh H. Smith, Dem., 134. 

1858. — Lot M. Morrill, Rep., 179; Manasseh H. Smith, Dem., 147. 
1859. — Lot M. Morrill, Rep., 166; Manasseh H. Smith, Dem., 118. 

i860. — Israel Washburn, Jr., Rep., 179; Ephraim K. Smart, Dem., 

141. 
1861. — Israel Washburn, Jr., Rep., 161; John W. Dana, Dem., 124; 

Charles D. Jameson, War Dcm., 2. 
1862. — -Abner Coburn, Rep., 147; Bion Bradbury, Dem., 137. 

1863. — Samuel Cony, Rep., 177; Bion Bradbury, Dem., 152. 

1864. — Samuel Cony, Rep., 164; Joseph Howard, Dem., 140. 

1865. — Samuel Cony, Rep., 132; Joseph Howard, Dem., 121. 

1866. — Joshua L. Chamberlain, Rep., 156; Eben F. Pillsbury, Dem., 
114. 

1867. — Joshua L. Chamberlain, Rep., 135; Eben F. Pillsbury, Dem., 

116. 

1868. — Joshua L. Chamberlain, Rep., 170; Eben F. Pillsbury, Dcm., 

140. 

1869. — Joshua L. Chamberlain, Rep., 117; Franklin Smith, Dcm., 

101. 

1870. — Sidney Perhani, Rep., 126; Charles W. Roberts, Dem., 117. 

1871. — Charles P. Kimball, Dem., 129; Sidney Perham, Rep., 123. 

1872. — Sidney Perham, Rep., 143; Charles P. Kimball, Dem., 140. 

1873. — Nelson Dingley, Jr., Rep., 104; Joseph Titcomb, Dem., 104. 

1874. — Joseph Titcomb, Dem., 113; Nelson Dingley, Jr., Rep., 112. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 309 



1875 

1876. 

1877. 

I? 

1879. 

1880. 
1882. 

1884. 



1890, 
1892. 

1894. 

1896, 

1898, 
1900, 
1902, 
1904. 
1906. 
1908 



— Selden Connor, Rep., 127; Charles W. Roberts, Dem., 124. 

— Selden Connor, Rep., 149; John C. Talbot, Dem., 147. 

— Selden Connor, Rep., 120; Joseph H. Williams, Dent., I16. 

— Selden Connor, Rep., 134; Joseph L. Smith, Nat. G. B., 78; 

Alonzo Garcelon, Dem., 76. 

— Daniel F. Davis, Rep., 160; Joseph L. Smith, Nat. G. B., 

123; Alonzo Garcelon, Dem., 52. 

— Daniel F. Davis, Rep., 168; Harris M. Plaisted, Fusion, 167. 

— Harris M. Plaisted, Fusion, 168; Frederick Robie, Rep., 167. 

— John B. Redman, Dem., 170; Frederick Robie, Rep., 157. 

— Clark S. Edwards, Dem., 155; Joseph R. Bodwell, Rep., 

140; Aaron Clark, Prohib., 4. 

— Edwin C. Burleigh, Rep., 161; William L. Putnam, Dem., 

150. 

— Edwin C. Burleigh, Rep., 149; William P. Thompson, Dem., 

128; Aaron Clark, Prohib., 13. 

— Henry B. Cleaves, Rep., 141 ; Charles F. Johnson, Dem., 

141; Timothy B. Hussey. Prohib., 12; Edgar F. 
Knowlton, Labor, i. 

— Henry B. Cleaves, Rep., 157; Charles F. Johnson, Dem., 

99; Ira G. Hersey, Prohib., 7. 

— Llewellyn Powers, Rep., 160; Melvin P. Frank, Dem., 94; 

Ammi S. Ladd, Prohib., 8; Luther C. Bateman, Peo- 
ples, 2; WiUiam H. Clifford, Dem., i. 

— Llewellyn Powers, Rep., 106; Samuel L. Lord, Dem., 96; 

Ammi S. Ladd, Prohib., 7. 

— John F. Hill, Rep., 158; Samuel L. Lord, Dem., 141; 

Grant Rogers, Prohib., 6. 

— John F. Hill, Rep., 144; Samuel W. Gould, Dem., 94; 

James Perrigo, Prohib., 14; Charles L. Fox, Sac, i. 

— William T. Cobb, Rep., 158; Cyrus W. Davis, Dem., 115; 

Nathan F. Woodbury, Prohib., 4. 

— William T. Cobb, 170; Cyrus W. Davis, 136; Henry Wood- 

ward, I ; Chas. L. Fox, i. 

— Bert M. Fernald, 157; Obadiah Gardner, 131; James H. 

Ames, 4. 



3IO A HISTORY OF THE 



VOTE FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE 
LEGISLATURE. 



The records of the town show no votes for Representa- 
tive to the General Court of Massachusetts, hence the vote 
for Representatives begins with the existence of the State 
of Maine. 

There were no means of knowing the pohtics of the 
different candidates voted for until the years that are with- 
in the knowledge of persons now living, but this can gen- 
erally be determined by comparing the vote with that for 
Governor in the same year. 

1820. — Phineas Ingalls, 44; Gen. John Perley, 36. 

1821. — Jonathan Britton, 38; Oliver Pierce, 23. 

1822. — Jacob Emerson, 48; James H. Chadbourn, 24; Joel Whit- 

more, I. 
1823. — Jonathan Britton, 23', Levi Patcli, 16; Oliver Peirce, g. 
1824. — Jacob Emerson, 47; James H. Chadbourn, 12; Simeon 

Caswell, 9. 
1825.- — Jonathan Britton, 43; Thomas Shedd, 20. 

1826. — Jacob Emerson, 47; Clement Phinney, 17; James H. 

Chadbourn, 12. 

1827. — Levi Patch, 20; John Chute, 19; Jonathan Britton, 8. 

1828. — Jacob Emerson, 75; Isaac Bolster, 36; Charles Walker, 

Jr., 16; Clement Phinney, 5. 
Second trial. — Jacob Emerson, 69; Isaac Bolster, 38; Went- 
worth Stuart, 2. 
1829. — John Chute, 72; Thomas Shedd, 53; Levi Patch, 33. 



1830, 
i83r 

1832 
1833 

1834 

1835 
1836, 



— Oliver Peirce, 78; Charles Walker, Jr., 74; Isaac Bolster, 5. 

— Thomas Shedd, 78; Haskell Peirce, 49; Levi Patch, 11. 
Second trial. — Thomas Shedd, 73 ; Haskell Peirce, 68. 

— Charles Walker, Jr., 106; Charles Washburn, 96. 

— Thomas Jackson, 75 ; John Hancock, 65 ; Samuel Andrews, 

3; Wyatt Turner, I. 

— Amos Thomes, 125; Charles Walker, Jr., 77; Charles 

Washburn, i ; James Weston, I. 

— Mark Knight, 65; Francis Chute, 54; John Hancock, 3. 

— Haskell Peirce, 94; Charles Walker, Jr., 73 ; Amos Thomes, 

3; Charles Walker, 2; Benjamin Foster, i. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 3II 

1837. — John Hancock, no; Joseph Hall, 91. 

1838. — Philip Eastman, 105; Harrison Blake, 105; Amos Themes, 

34 ; William Haskell, 5 ; Jacob Emerson, 3 ; Haskell 
Peirce, I ; Charles Walker, Jr., I. 
Second trial. — Philip Eastman, 98; Harrison Blake, 95; 
William Haskell, 2; Amos Thomes, 2; Jacob Emerson, 
I ; Merrill Knight, i. 
1835. — Daniel Weston, 99; Stevens Rich, 97; Elijah Scribner, 4. 

1840. — Harrison Blake, 106; Hosea H. Huntress, loi ; Haskell 

Peirce, 18; William Haskell, 16; Sumner Burnham, 4; 
Amos Thomes, 2; Luther Rogers, i; Shepard Hawke, 
I ; Timothy D. Burnham, i. 

1841. — Charles Walker, Jr., 107; Daniel D. Ruggles, 96; Henry 

Roby, 10; Francis Blake, 2; Harrison Blake, i; Grin- 
fill Blake, l ; William Haskell, l ; Thomas Phinney, I. 
Second trial. — Charles Walker, Jr., 71 ; Daniel D. Ruggles, 
58; Reuben Ingalls, I. 

1842. — Richard Kimball, 88; Thomas H. Mead, 79; Nathaniel 

Pease, 5. 
Second trial. — Richard Kimball, 48; Thomas Mead, 33; 

Nathaniel Pease, 13. 
Third trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 62; Richard Kimball, 52; 

Nathaniel Pease, 9; John Fowler, i. 
Fourth trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 55; Richard Kimball, 37; 

Nathaniel Pease, 6. 
Fifth trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 56; Richard Kimball, 54; 

Moody F. Walker, i. 
Sixth trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 84; Richard Kimball, 29; 

Nathaniel Pease, 2. 
Seventh trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 46; Richard Kimball, 14: 

Nathaniel Pease, 12; Samuel Andrews, 8; John F. 

Potter, I ; Aaron Littlefield, i ; Moody F. Walker, i ; 

G. W. Cushman, i ; Stephen Beeman, i ; Samuel Riggs, 

I ; Moses Gould, i ; Asa Ingalls, i. 
Eighth trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 27; Nathaniel Pease, 5; 

Richard Kimball, 2. 
Ninth trial. — Thomas H. Mead, 28; Richard Kimball, 10; 

Nathaniel Pease, lo; Samuel Andrews, i; Jacob 

Hazen, i. 
Tenth trial, March 20th, 1843. — Thomas H. Mead, 41; Na- 
thaniel Pease, 24; Richard Kimball, 19; Samuel An- 
drews, 2nd, 10; Samuel Andrews, 7; Asa Ingalls, 2; 

Moody F. Walker, i. 



312 A HISTORY OF THE 

The Legislature adjourned four days after tliis last trial. 

1843. — Hosea H. Huntress, 74 ; Henry Roby, 67 ; Jacob Emerson, 

1.3; nniii Biirnham, i; Francis Blake, I. 

1844. — Richard Kimball, too; Renscllacr Cram, 83; Nathaniel 

Pease, 57. 

Second trial. — Renscllaer Cram, 65 ; Reuben Ball, 57 ; Na- 
thaniel Pease, 38. 

Third trial. — Nathaniel Pease, 25; Reuben Ball, 18; Ren- 
scllaer Cram, 13. 

Fourth trial. — Reuben Ball, 85; Renscllaer Cram, 60; Na- 
thaniel Pease, 37. 

1845. — Abner Libby, 90; David R. Morse, 51 ; Worthy C. Barrows, 

47- 

1846. — Lothrop Lewis, 50: Renscllaer Cram, 57; Caleb Parker, 51 ; 

Benjamin Walker, 6; Reuben Ball, 3; Samuel An- 
drews, 2nd, 2. 

Second trial. — Lothrop Lewis, 42; Renscllaer Cram, 36; 
Caleb Parker, 33. 

Third trial. — Lothrop Lewis, 39; Renscllaer Cram, 31; 
Caleb Parker, 29; Theodore Ingalls, i; Samuel An- 
drews, 2nd, I. 

Fourth trial. — Lothrop Lewis, 74; Caleb Parker, 12; Samuel 
Andrews, 2; Samuel ,\ndrews, 2nd, 11; Renscllaer 
Cram, i. 

1847. — Marquis D. Caswell, 77; Sumner Burnhani, 45; David 

R. Morse, 24. 
1848. — Samuel .^ndrews, 2nd, 94; James Libby, 79; Marshall 
Cram, 26. 

1849. — John F,. Dunnells, 79; William Libby, 63; Benjamin F. 

Peirce, 39. 

1850. — Thomas F. Perlcy, IIS; Thomas Cleaves, no. 

1851. — No election. 

1852. — William Haskell, 142; Daniel Richardson, 125; Edward 

Bray, 8: Edward Stanley, 3. 

1853. — Albert Sanborn, 148; Frederick Spencer, no. 

1854. — George W. Barrows, 153; Daniel Richardson, 106. 

1855. — Cyrus F. Burnell, 156; James Norton, 145. 
1856. — Samuel Walker, Jr., 185; Ezra T. Ingalls, 147. 

1857. — Christopher D. Sawyer, 153; James Norton, 134. 

1858. — Samuel Thomes, 17s; Albion Cobb, 150; A. Cobb, I. 

1859. — Daniel T. Richardson, 166; James Norton, n8. 
i860. — George Peirce, 174; Ezra T. Ingalls, 152. 

1861. — John P. Perley, 162; Frederic J. Littlefield, 124. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 313 

1862. — John Dawes, 142; Joshua Howard, 137. 

1863. — John P. Perley, 177; Frederic J. Littlefield, 152. 

1864. — John P. Perley, 164; Frederic J. Littlefield, 152. 
1865. — John Dawes, 126; Albert Gray, 119. 

1866. — Charles E. Gibbs, 156; George Bridgham, 114. 

1867. — Charles E. Gibbs, 134; Albert G. Berry, 116. 

1868. — Philander Tolman, 163 ; Isaac Hall, 148. 

1869. — Orin Bartlett, 121; Albert G. Berry, loi. 

1870. — Truman S. Perry, 127; Albert Gray, 116; Lewis Edson, 2. 

1871. — Aaron Mann, 128; Hiram Cook, 124. 

1872. — William Twombly, 137; David Frost, 134. 

1873. — Russell G. Scribner, lo8-; William Lamb, 105. 

1874. — John P. Lamb, 113; Obadiali G. Cook, 93. 

1875. — Clark N. Maxfield, 127; Solomon M. Gay, 124. 

1876. — James Mains, 146; Jonathan Wardwell, Jr., 146. 

1877. — John W. Caswell, 121; C. C. W. Sampson, 107. 

1878. — George Murch, 155 ; Andrew Libby, 133. 

1879. — F. H. Whitman, 176; Newell A. Trafton, 160. 

1880. — Jonathan Wardwell, 170; Ebenezer F. Wardwell, 167. 
1882. — William M. Cook, 168; Potter J. Mayberry, 167. 
1884. — Norman Buck, 164; Thomas D. Emery, 162. 

1886. — Sumner H. Wardwell, 151 ; George H. Greene, 144; Charles 

E. Stuart, 3. 
1888. — Walter S. Dinglcy, 162; Simon P. Wardwell, 150; Solomon 

L. Gay, 5. 
1890. — George H. Cummings, 153; Mark L. Leach, 125; Edward 

Bray, 11. 
1892. — Loren T. Brett, 146; Stephen D. Jillson, 140. 
1894. — Quincy M. Chute, 163; Adelbert C. Buck, 95; Charles E. 

Stuart, 5. 
1896. — Richard Cook, 159; Fred W. Mayberry, 97; Edward W. 

Jcpson, 7. 
1898. — Samuel G. Spurr, 106; Llewellyn Spurr, <j8; Nathaniel E. 

Warren, 5. 
1900. — William H. Briggs, 149; Albert B. Caswell, 148; Ernest 

L. Gay, 6. 
1002. — Gideon G. Cook, 144; Daniel C. Mann, 94. 
1904. — J. Bennett Pike, 157; Ephraim B. Jillson, 115; C. C. Fos- 
ter, 2. 
1906. — George E. Tarbo.x, 156; All)crt S. Pitts, 147. 
1908. — Nathan Paul, 157: Charles W. Proctor, 134. 



314 A HISTORY OF THE 

RECORD OF CIVIL, ECCLESIASTICAL AND MIL- 
ITARY OFFICERS IN CUMBERLAND AND 
OXFORD COUNTIES IN 1821. 



Legislative. 
Representative from Bridgton, Harrison and Baldwin, 
John Perley ; Raymond and Otisfield, Zacariah Leach ; 
Standish, Theodore Mussey; Waterford, Sweden and Lov- 
ell, Josiah Shaw. 

Courts. 
Phineas Ingalls, Bridgton, Associate Justice, Court oi 
Sessions in Cumberland; Enoch Perley, Nathaniel How, 
and Grinfill Blake, Justices of the Peace and Quorum ; 
Isaiah Ingalls, John Burbank, John Perley, Theodore In- 
galls, Samuel Farnsworth, Samuel Andrews and Oliver 
Peirce, Otisfield, Justices of the Peace; Nathaniel How, 
Bridgton, Counsellor at Law; Bennett Pike, Attorney of 
the Common Pleas ; Ebenezer H. Scribner, Sheriff ; John 
Perley, Ira Crocker, Bridgton ; Samuel Scribner, Harri- 
son ; Stephen Swett and Eli Longley, Raymond, Coroners. 
In Oxford County : Eber Rice, Jonathan Houghton, Stephen 
Jewett, Charles Whitman, Attorney at Common Pleas ; 
Theodore Stone, Sheriff; D. Chaplin, William Munroe, 
Coroners. 

Churches. 
Bridgton, Rev. Nathan Church, Cong., Reuben Ball, 
Bap.; Otisfield, Rev. Josiah G. Merrill, Cong., Benj. 
Stevens, Meth. ; Raymond, Elder Zacariah Leach, F. W. 
Bap. 



town of harrison. 315 

Bridgton Academy. 
Rev. Nathan Church, President ; Rev. Lincohi Ripley, 
V. Pres. ; Jeremiah Barnard, Sec. ; Samuel Farnsworth, 
Esq., Treas. 

Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M. 
Bennett Pike, Master; George W. Cushman, S. W. ; 
Charles Whitman, Esq., Sec. ; Daniel Brown, S. D. ; Jacob 
Emerson, J. D. 

State Militia — Fifth Division. 
First Brigade, Second Regiment. — John Perley, Bridg- 
ton, Brig. Gen'l ; Thomas Perley, Brigade Major ; Amos 
Thomes, Harrison, Col. of 2d Regt. ; Thos. Edes, Jr., of 
Otisfield, Major; Samuel Farnsworth, Bridgton, Adjutant; 
Daniel Hale, Jr., Paymaster ; Silas Blake, Otisfield, Sur- 
geon ; Theodore Ingalls, Bridgton, Surgeon's Mate ; Jo- 
siah G. Merrill, Otisfield, Chaplain ; Geo. W. Whitney, 
Bridgton, Wentworth Stuart, Harrison, Geo. W. Cushman, 
Bridgton, Joseph Haskell, Otisfield, Captains. Total Mili- 
tia of Maine, 30,905. 

[From Register and United States Calendar for the year 
of our Lord, 1821. Published by Arthur Shirley & Thomas 
Todd & Co., Portland.] 



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326 A HISTORY OF THE 



HARRISON PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



The genesis and onward march of the events through 
which this institution has passed to its present stage of use- 
fuhiess is an interesting episode of recent local history. 
The Temperance Reform Club which was in active opera- 
tion a number of years, from 1875 to 1885, had in the 
time of its highest prosperity, erected a handsome and com- 
modious hall building in the center of the village, nearly 
adjoining the clothing manufactory of Jordan & Emery. 
As a means for promoting the stability of the organization, 
enhancing its benefits to its members, and to attract the 
attention of the community to its noble purposes, it was re- 
solved to establish a library for the use of the members of 
the club and non-members as well, who should pay the 
prescribed fee for the use of the library. The efforts of 
the reformers for accomplishing the laudable designs here- 
in mentioned were, under the leadership of Rev. L. W. 
Raymond, pastor of the Free Baptist Church, crowned 
with much success, and soon a collection of valuable books 
had been obtained, and the Reform Club Library was a 
positive and increasing influence for good. That library, 
under the rules established by the leading members of the 
club, was to be always kept in the Reform Club Hall ; 
and for many years it remained in its proper place until 
the destruction of the building by the fire of 1907. 

Years before the establishment of the Reform Club 
Library, there had existed a Village Library Association 
having a collection of about two hundred volumes. It was 
kept a number of years in the law office of Caleb A. Chaplin 
Esq., and after his decease in i8go, it was removed to the 
residence of Mrs. W. V. Carsley, who assumed the care 
of the library. It was subsequently rumored that the books 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 327 

of the \'illage Library Association were being scattered 
and were in danger of being lost. At this time, the prin- 
cipal and faculty of Bridgton Academy obtained permission 
from the custodian of the village library to remove the books 
to the rooms of the academy as a measure for preserving 
them from possible damage or loss, and that the students 
in the academy might enjoy the advantages to be derived 
from the use of those excellent books. That was the status 
of the two libraries up to the year 1903, when another very 
interesting event occurred, the result of which was a re- 
vival of local interest in the condition of the library of the 
Reform Club ; also to cause the books of the village li- 
brary, in the possession of Bridgton Academy, to be, under 
the authority of one of the trustees of that institution, in 
compliance with the demand of a responsible society of 
ladies of Harrison Village, assuming to represent the vil- 
lage Library Association to be restored to the possession of 
said ladies' association under the title of 

THE WYOMEGOMIC CLUB, 

organized for purposes of mutual improvement, and with 
a motive for extending a beneficial social influence beyond 
the sphere of its organization. It was this Club which in- 
augurated the praiseworthy methods by which the valuable 
properties of the Village Library Association — for years 
disorganized and defunct — and of the Reform Club were 
brought together under a succession of favorable events, 
and which, by the wise forethought of this ladies' society, 
led up to the organization of the Harrison Library Associa- 
tion ; and ultimately to its incorporation under the law of 
the State. 

The officers and members of the Wyomegomic Club at 
its organization, September 29, 1903, were: Mrs. Mary 
Gray, President : Mrs. Annah D. Whitney, Vice President ; 
Mrs. Abby M. C. Breed, Secretary; Miss Nellie Plummer, 



328 A HISTORY OF THE 

Treasurer ; Miss Anna Smith, Mrs. Jessie B. Warren, Miss 
Elizabeth P. Gray, Mrs. Mercy Gray, Mrs. Gertrude Blake, 
Mrs. Annie I. Jordan, Mrs. Mary W. Sylvester. A board 
of Directors and various committees have been added to 
the list of constitutional officers. 

The Harrison Public Library Association was organized 
April I, 1906. The officers for 1909 are: President, W. H. 
Chapman ; Vice President, Mary W. Gray ; Clerk, Howard 
L. Sampson ; Treasurer, Annah D. Whitney ; Trustees, 
F. P. Bennett, Arthur P. Stanley, Anna Dudley. Library 
Committee, Mary W. Sylvester, Mrs. W. H. Chapman, 
Mrs. Mercy Gray. Finance Committee, Mrs. Lilla Cole, 
Mrs. Jessie B. Warren, W. H. Bailey. Soliciting Commit- 
tee, Mrs. .\nnah D. Whitney, W. L. Grover, C. B. Sylvester. 
Tracer of Books, Nellie Plummer. 



THE NEW LIBRARY BUILDING. 

On the ever memorable May 14, 1907, while the devoted 
members of the Library Association were gathered in a 
dwelling near the site of the fire, to which the books of 
the library had been carried after their fortunate rescue 
from the burning hall, they were asking the question: 
"What shall we do now?" It was, indeed, a discouraging 
prospect. But the men and women who had formulated 
the ways and means for uniting and consolidating the ma- 
terials for the composition of a flourishing institution like 
that just now saved from destruction, were not despairing, 
but cheerfully hoping that some way of relief might be 
opened in the near future. In a few weeks, a front room 
in the house of Mr. Henry Haskell was secured and shelves 
provided for storing the books and the Association went 
on with its work, not for a moment ceasing to trust that 
their need for a library building would be answered in the 
near future. Early in the winter of 1907-8, it was reported 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 329 

that a gentleman who is a native of Harrison, but a resi- 
dent of the State of Texas, had intimated a desire and even 
a decided purpose to extend a "helping hand," and really 
to donate to the Association an eligible lot of land for a 
building and one thousand dollars towards the erection 
of a building for a public library, to be the property of 
the Association with the condition that the building might 
bear the name of the donor, as a tribute of honor to his 
generous character and of appreciation of the desire he ex- 
hibited, to be esteemed as a contributor to the necessities 
of a noble association of citizens, and as a patron of science 
and varied learning in the community in which he had 
selected a residence for himself and family. 

At a meeting of the Association at their room on Jan- 
uary 4, 1908, it was announced that Mr. Daniel H. Caswell 
of Austin, Texas, had formally confirmed his reported in- 
tention to donate the lot of land and the sum of money 
above mentioned upon the acceptance by the Association, 
of the conditions proposed by him to that body. It is very 
interesting to note that from that date, a feeling of elation 
and hopefulness inspired the hearts and purposes of all, 
and as soon as the spring arrived and Mr. Caswell too 
came from the South, the Association elected a building 
committee, consisting of the following persons : Daniel H. 
Caswell, Joseph Pitts, Mrs. Jessie Warren and W. H. 
Chapman, who were instructed to examine plans submitted 
for consideration and proceed at once to the construction 
of the building. The plan chosen by the committee was 
that drawn by Mr. John H. Proctor, who was selected to 
superintend the erection and finishing of the structure. 
It was found by the committee, that the estimated cost 
of the building in the judgment of Mr. Proctor, was not 
less than $3,500, and that the resources of the Association 
were very small independent of the amount of the principal 
donation. A popular subscription resulted in the amount 
of $400, and a fair held in mid-summer added $200 more 



330 A HISTORY OF THE 

to the amount of money available for the prosecution of 
the work ; also the amount of $70 received from the Re- 
form Club. In September, when all the funds had been 
expended, the walls and the roof were found to be finished. 
Then building operations ceased during si.x weeks, until 
cold weather compelled the committee to make provision 
for resuming the work of pushing the remaining processes 
to a finish. 

A loan of $1,200 was obtained of George Burnham of 
Portland, late of the firm of Burnham & Morrill, and the 
interior finishing commenced, and has been steadily pro- 
gressing under the workmanship of two competent build- 
ers, until the final stage of the finishing work is very near 
the end, and it is now announced that the building will 
be in one week — on February i, turned over to the use 
of the Association. 

The inside view shows a large room, oblong in shape, 
with a side room circular at the outer end, superbly lighted 
in every part by large windows. The walls are wainscotted 
in ash and the finish and doors are of the same material. 
The floors of both rooms are of maple and wide folding 
doors separate the main hall or library section from the 
social parlor designed for business and social meetings. Tt 
is gratifying to state in acknowledgement of the further 
generosity of Mr. Daniel H. Caswell, that on the eve of 
his departure, last autumn, for his Texas home, he sup- 
plemented his first donation to the society by a gift of 
$500, making his complete donation the amount of $1,700. 

And again, the Association, with their beautiful new 
building practically completed and ready in a few days 
to receive its dedication to the honorable uses of the in- 
corporated body of citizens, is asking itself in repetition 
of that question which expressed their fears when they 
stood looking at the glowing ashes of their former hall-site, 
"Well, what shall we do now?" 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 33 1 

It is sufficient to say that, with a mortgage of $1,200 
resting on the nice Httle pile of stones and mortar and 
superb interior fittings, it seems to be a very interesting 
situation, and should call into requisition a good share of 
the same order of genius for which the club with the big 
name has made itself already known as a powerful social 
factor. 



HARRISON VILLAGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 

Incorporated May 3, 1906, by 
Charles F. Ricker, W. H. Bailey and Alanson Dawes. 

officers : 
President, Freeland H. Ricker. 
Clerk, Howard L. Sampson. 
Treasurer, Callie H. Thomes. 
Trustees, Dr. Charles B. Sylvester, 

Hollis H. Caswell, 

Victor L. Jordan. 

There is an endowment of one thousand dollars ($1,000) 
given by Hon. Melville E. Ingalls of Cincinnati, Ohio, for 
the permanent and exclusive care of the cemetery grounds. 
The parents of Mr. Ingalls, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra T. In- 
galls, were buried in this cemetery. 



PART III. 



Genealogical 



APOLOGETIC. 



The writer of the larger portion of this division of the 
chronicles of Harrison, submits the results of his work to 
the inspection of the reader, trusting sincerely that you will 
exercise the same degree of kindness in your criticism 
that you have manifested in your ready and liberal contri- 
butions of genealogical and historical matter, relating to 
the pioneer families and their descendants, as well as in 
your exemplary patience and consideration for the difficul- 
ties encountered in our arduous endeavors to bring the work 
to an earlier conclusion. 

It is almost impossible for many of you to conceive of 
the amount of correspondence with persons related by 
descent to the pioneer settlers, of the weeks and months of 
patient — or impatient — waiting for replies to inquiries for 
important information for formulating complete family 
records ; and of the journeys taken through the town, inter- 
viewing people with long memories of their family rela- 
tions : and of the numerous transcriptions of mortuary sta- 
tistics from monuments and head-stones in nearly every 
cemetery in the town, which have been necessary and un- 
avoidable in the faithful prosecution of this undertaking. 
Here you will find as accurate and complete a record of 
names, dates, and events as it has been possible to obtain 
in the limited space of time allotted to the preparation of 
the pages of this book. For the possible errors, mistakes 
and omissions in writing or compiling, we can only ex- 
press our regrets. 

With respect to the general manner of treatment of the 
subject of the personal histories of the men and women 
whose characters and virtues are herewith represented, and 



336 A HISTORY OF THE 

whose lives reflect an unfading lustre upon the present era, 
it remains only to say : the example and advice of the chief 
author and compiler, who wrote a number of the more im- 
portant and lengthy family histories, has been carefully ob- 
served and followed with the desire to preserve the proper 
continuity of the plan of this part of the work. Much 
of the history of the present time will be noticed, and it 
will be readily conceded that such a feature of our prepara- 
tion of these family histories was both necessary and un- 
avoidable. No person who has figured in the process of 
history-making, either old or young, has been intentionally 
ignored or omitted. A spirit of reverential regard for the 
memories of those gone before us, as well as of the noble 
men and women in the active life of today, has been the 
guiding motive of those whose contributions to this history 
are herein presented; "with malice toward none, but with 
charity for all." 

In the remembrance of the deep interest universally mani- 
fested in the progress of the compiling and sketching these 
family histories, and in preserving the memories of the 
brave and patriotic fathers of our town, in all their gene- 
rations ; of the bright and noble sons of Harrison, who 
have achieved honor and fame in the great world of busi- 
ness, learning and in political life : and of the revered 
mothers of those sons, we desire to express the fullest meas- 
ure of gratitude toward every one of our friends who have 
contributed in any form to the successful completion of this 
Centennial History. 

January 23, 1909. granville fernald. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 337 



ABBOTT FAMILY. 

HIRAM ABBOTT, son of Theophilus Abbott of New- 
field, York County, born February 27, 1792, settled in Har- 
rison about 1820, in the Johnson neighborhood, where John 
Lakin lived many years. He married Betsy Hazleton of 
Parsonsfield in 1820. She was born March 19, 1795. The 
family located subsequently in the northerly part of the 
town near the head of Anonymous Pond, opposite the 
fine homestead erected later by his son Samuel, now the 
property of Osgood Noyes. Mr. Abbott died April 27, 
1843, aged fifty-one years. Mrs. Betsy (Hazleton) Abbott 
died September 14, 1879. Their children were: 

Oliver, b. Apr. 29, 182 1 ; married Nancy Edson of Har- 
rison, Nov. 20, 1843, and died Jan. 18, 1846. They 
had one child, Henry Francis ; died at one year of age. 

Samuel Lord, b. Aug. 10, 1823 ; married Eliza (b. Oct. 
29, 1821), daughter of Joshua and Eliza (Walker) How- 
ard of Harrison, Dec. 31, 1848, and settled on a farm 
which he purchased in odd lots and reclaimed from wild 
and adverse conditions, and by his industry and genius 
as a good farmer, made eventually one of the most 
productive and valuable farms in town. He was early 
in life a member of the Baptist Church and has always 
lived consistently with his Christian profession, and much 
esteemed as a citizen and kind neighbor. Mrs. Eliza 
Abbott died Oct. 12, 1875. Mr. Abbott married second, 
Mrs. Emma Heald, Oct. 16, 1877, and in 1884, he sold 
his fine farm and moved to Florida, settling at Orlando, 
where he invested extensively in real estate. Mrs. Emma 
(Heald) Abbott died at Orlando, Fla., Jan. 20, 1906, 
aged -JT,. In 1906, Mr. Abbott returned to his native 
town, and resides at Harrison Village. Ella, an adopted 
daughter, married Henry Young of Waterford, and has 
one daughter, Elizabeth Christina, who married George 
H. Keen. 



Mercy, b. Feb. 17, 1826; married, March, 1853, Joseph 
Kilgore of Waterford 
5, 1905, aged 79 years. 



Kilgore of Waterford. She died in Waterford, Aug. 



338 A HISTORY OF THE 

Zebulon Johnson, b. Aug. 17, 1829; married Mary Car- 
oline, daughter of Asa and Sally H. Anderson, and settled 
in Waterford. Their children are: 

1. Oliver Nelson, b. Nov. 13, 1861. 

2. Kate May, b. Feb. 24, 1872. 

Mr. Abbott moved to Harrison Village in and erected 

a handsome homestead. He died in Harrison, May 26, 
1906. 

Charles Wesley, b. Sept. 20, 183 1 ; married Sarah Jane, 

daughter of Ephraim and (Mayberry) Cook of 

Harrison. They resided in Waterford and in Harrison, 
and since 1889, have lived on a farm on Bridgton "Ridge." 
Their children are : 

1. Mattie M., b. May 12, 1863, in Waterford ; married 
John Burnham of Norway ; they reside in Portland, 
Me. 

2. Forest H., b. Feb. 17, 1866, in Waterford; married 
Aug. 14, 1888, Lizzie May, daughter of Nathan and 
Elizabeth (Newcomb) Carsley of Harrison. Their 
children are: George Nathan, b. in Harrison, Apr. 

18, 1893 ; Charles Arthur, b. Nov. 10, 1895 ; Arnold 
Linwood, b. May 21, 1901 ; Ralph Forest, b. Jan. 
28, 1906. 
Eva, b. in Waterford, May 29, 1870; died Aug. 11, 

1872, in Waterford. 
Elmer L., b. in Harrison, Apr. 18, 1873 ; resides in 

Bridgton. 
Charles A., b. in Harrison, Nov. 28, 1875 ; died Feb. 

19, 1876, in Harrison. 

Walter M., b. in Harrison, Oct. 12, 1877; resides 
in Washington State. 

Annie M., b. in Harrison, May 16, 1880 ; married 
Dr. Sidney Burt Sargent and resides in West New- 
ton, Mass. They have one daughter, Doris Ab- 
bott. 

Betsy, b. Dec. 13, 1833; married Benjamin Kimball Kil- 
gore of Waterford, Apr. 16, 1857, in Waterford ; settled 
on "Deer Hill" on an excellent farm, where he continued 
to live the remaining years of his life. He erected a 
good dwelling house the same year, in which his children 
grew to maturity. Mr. Kilgore was a man of much 
public spirit, a prominent citizen ; was a member of the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 339 

M. E. Church and of Bear Mountain Grange for many 
years. He died Feb. 24, 1902, aged 71 years. His widow 
survives him to the present time, and resides in the home 
estabhshed by her husband with her two sons, Clarence 
and Charles W. Kilgore. Their children are: 

1. Clarence, b. May 26, i860. Is a farmer in Water- 

ford ; unmarried. 

2. Jennie Etta, b. Feb. 12, 1862 ; married B. F. Prat- 

rick of 1308 Union Ave., No. Portland, Ore. 

3. Eugene Kimball, b. Nov. 17, 1863 ; married Gertrude 

May, daughter of Calvin and Abby Adams of Water- 
ford. Children : Beulah May, b. Feb. 14, 1895 ; 
Clinton Eugene, b. May 11, 1901. 

4. Charles Wilson, b. Apr. 25, 1867 ; farmer, unmarried. 

5. Fred Johnson, b. Mar. 22, 1869 ; married Lillian 
Agnes Dyer of Waterford, Sept. 5, 1881. Children: 
Elmer Johnson, b. Feb. 10, 1891 ; Lulu Agnes, b. 
May 30, 1892. 

Eliza Jane, b. Dec. 7, 1835 ; married Daniel Davis of 
. Auburn, Me. Has one son, Frank Elmer ; is cashier 
in sugar refinery ; they reside in Portland, Me. 

Clara Ellen, b. Dec. 27, 1838 ; married Charles A. Ham- 
lin of Waterford, b. Aug. 14, 1838 ; died June 16, 1900. 
Children : 

I. Charles Arthur, b. Mar. 23, 1862; resides in Quincy, 
Mass. ; he is a farmer. 

William Henry, b. May 7, 1864; resides on the an- 
cestral estate in Waterford, is unmarried. 
Lillian Gertrude, b. July 31, 1865; married George 
Wiley of Fitchburg, and lives in Waltham, Mass. 
Rosa Etta, b. July 31, 1865; unmarried, lives in 
Waterford. 

5. Herman Roscoe, b. Mar. 3, 1867; lives in Boston. 

6. Florence Isabella, b. Apr. i, 1868; unmarried, lives 
in Waltham. 

Clara Ella, b. Oct. 17, 1869; died Feb. 21, — , in Bos- 
ton. 

8. Martha Elizabeth, b. Feb. 28, 1871 ; lives in Waltham. 

9. Frank Wetherbee, b. Jan. 26, 1876; married Hilda 

Harper of Boston. 
10. Baby boy, b. Apr. 13, 1880, died Apr. 14, 1880. 



340 A HISTORY OF THE 

BAILEY FAMILY. 

JAMES P. BAILEY was born in Westbrook in 1795. 
He was a carpenter by trade and was a man of excellent 
character and noted for his industrious habits. He mar- 
ried Caroline Hilton of Westbrook, born in Westbrook, 
April 6, 1800. They moved to Harrison in June, 1840. 
Their children, all born in Westbrook, were : 
Elizabeth H., married Daniel Olney of Pawtucket, R. I. 
M-^RY Ann, b. Oct. 17, 1822; married George F. Whitney 
of Harrison. (See Whitney family.) She died Nov. 
7> 1895. 
Frances, b. Sept., 1825 ; married Franklin Walker of Har- 
rison, Apr., 1847; died June 15, 1904. 
Nancy B., b. ; married Comfort Bishop, of Paw- 
tucket, R. I. ; married second, Joseph Lester of Paw- 
tucket. She died . 

William H., b. Sept. 10, 1837: married Myra Brown of 
Waterford. They had three children born in Harrison : . 

1. Harry Clinton, b. Feb. 12, 1867; died Sept., 1868. 

2. Gertrude A., b. April 11, 1869; married Dr. James 

Prentiss Blake of Harrison, and resides in Harrison 
Village. 

3. Percy F., b. Jan. 28, 1871 ; married Susie H. Plum- 
mer, Oct. 5, 1892, resides in Portland. 

Emily, b. ; married Albert B. Whipple of Worcester, 

Mass., July 3, 1861. 



BARROWS FAMILY. 

Three brothers of this name have been residents of Har- 
rison, and were men of sterling character and fine business 
ability. They were sons of George and Eleanor Hawkes 
Barrows of Hebron, Maine. 

GEORGE WHITFIELD BARROWS, the eldest, was 
born October 15, 1805. He learned the trade of tanner 
and currier of Nathaniel Shaw, owner of a small tannery 



TOWN OF HAIUUSON. 341 

in East Otisfield, in the early part of the last century. He 
was succeeded in business by George W. Barrows, who 
carried on the tannery more than twenty years, in con- 
nection therewith also having a shop for making custom 
boots and shoes. It was a center of much activity in 
connection witii the local wants of the town ; right in the 
midst of a large school district and a population of thrifty 
farmers with large families. Here Mr. Barrows, with his 
brisk tanning business and his farming, raised a family 
of six children and was prosperous and happy with the 
respect and esteem of his townspeople. In 1842, he was 
elected representative to the Legislature and served his 
district with much credit. In 1846, Mr. Barrows moved 
to Bolster's Mills, where he was in the tanning business 
in company with William C. Hobbs for several years. 

In 1856, Mr. Barrows was again elected representative 
to the Legislature from Harrison, during which term, he 
was prominent in agitating for measures for the establish- 
ment of the Maine State Seminary at Lewiston, which was 
afterwards, by a liberal endowment, named Bates College, 
in honor of the wealthy and generous donor. Mr. Bar- 
rows lived at Barrows' Mills (since Scribner's Mills) a 
number of years, subsequently residing in Otisfield. He 
was from his youth, a man of religious life, a member of 
the Free Will Baptist Church in Otisfield and a most de- 
voted adherent to its faith and supporter of all its in- 
stitutions. He married June 7, 1827, in Otisfield, Dolly 
Ann, daughter of Benjamin and Betty (Hancock) Wight 
of Otisfield, born April 10, 1810. Children, born in Otis- 
field : 

George, b. Apr. 13, 1829; was bred to the trade of his 
father, and worked in various large tanneries in the 
State. He married Mary A. Dorman, daughter of 
Thomas and Abigail Dorman of Harrison, b. Jan. 16, 
1837 ; they had one son : 



342 A HISTORY OF THE 

I. Frank Merritt, b. Dec. ii, 1859; resided in Haver- 
hill, Mass., a number of years ; married Feb. 3, 
1900, Gertrude, daughter of Sumner and Ada (Dud- 
ley) Spurr of Otisfield. He is a prosperous mer- 
chant in Otisfield. 
George Barrows enlisted August 16, 1862, for three years 
in Captain Almon A. Fogg's Co. H, 17th Regt. Me. 
Inf. He was promoted to corporal and was in the battle 
of Chancellorsville and other severe engagements in Vir- 
ginia in 1863 and 1864. He was killed in a charge upon 
the enemy at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 

Horace, b. Oct. 22, 183 1 : married Feb. 2, 1856, Harriet 
Holden, daughter of Merrill and Rebecca (Chute) Knight 
of Otisfield ; was a member of Co. C, 25th Me. Vol., 
serving in Virginia from Sept. 10, 1862, to July 10, 1863 ; 
resides at Bolster's Mills. Children: 

1. Charles O., b. Jan. 4, 1857; married Sept., 1888, 

Hettie B. Gurney ; resides in Portland ; is a pro- 
ficient, practical stenographer, has formerly served 
as professional reporter of court proceedings in 
the S. J. Court of Maine. He is now a dealer in 
improved typewriting machines in Portland. 

2. Edith M., b. Apr. 22, 1861 ; died Dec. 10, 1882. 
Mary Jane, b. Sept. 21, 1834; she was bright and schol- 
arly in youth and became soon fitted for the teaching 
profession in which she was a number of years success- 
ful and popular. She married June 26, 1862, Jonathan 
Hollis Illsley of Harrison. (See Illsley family.) 

Eleanor Nutting, b. Mar. 12, 1835 ; married Sept. 6, 
1868, Webster C. Turner of Otisfield, where they re- 
sided on a farm for many years ; they removed in 1908, 
to Oxford Village, Me. They had one son, George Bar- 
rows, b. Jan. 28, 1879 in Otisfield; married Nov., 1903, 
Lura A. Foster. They reside in Oxford, Me. 

William, b. June 4, 1839 ; he lived with his parents until 
manhood, and enlisted Dec. 10, 1861, in Capt. Charles 
S. Illsley's Co. D, 15th Me. Inf. for three years. He 
served under Gen. N. P. Banks in the Department of 
the Gulf. He died of disease at Brazos Island, Tex., 
Dec. 16, 1862. 

Clara Morse, b. June 19, 1841 ; lived with parents ; is 
unmarried. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 343 

HORACE A. BARROWS, born August 7, 1809, mar- 
ried Irene Bearce of Hebron, Maine. He was an educated 
physician and practiced successfully in several towns of 
the State. He moved from Phillips to Otisfield about 1842, 
living until 1846, near the church on Otisfield Hill, when he 
removed to Bolster's Mills and settled permanently in a 
house erected years before by Rev. Stephen Hutchinson 
for his own residence. He was for years, while practicing 
his profession, a manufacturer of family medicines, which 
were widely celebrated for their restorative qualities. Dr. 
Barrows was besides being a learned and skilled physi- 
cian, a man of consistent Christian integrity of life, and 
of sincere human sympathies. He was deeply interested 
in public educational improvement and the moral and re- 
ligious elevation of society. He was a member of the 
Baptist Church and a liberal contributor to the support 
of gospel preaching. He was a lover of music, and one of 
his chief pleasures was singing the dear old sacred harmo- 
nies to the accompaniment of the bass viol played by him- 
self. He died June 7, 1852. Mrs. Irene Barrows died 
in Buckfield, November 17, i860. 

WORTHY C. BARROWS was born December 18, 
181 1, and early in life learned the trade of tanner and 
currier with his brother George W., in Otisfield. He mar- 
ried 1835, Emily, daughter of Timothy and Betsy W. (Ray) 
Fernald of Otisfield. He settled at Bolster's Mills about 
1836, and erected a large building for business and residence 
purposes. He established an extensive tannery plant with 
spacious yard for vats ; also a convenient shop for curry- 
ing and finishing leather. He, at the same time, operated 
a shop for custom boot, shoe and harness making. His busi- 
ness became one of the principal industries of the town, and 
as a tradesman, farmer and all-round business man, Mr. 
Barrows was soon widely known for his enterprising char- 
acter and success in life. It is hardly possible to recount 
all the schemes projected by this busy, ambitious man, 



344 A HISTORY OF THE 

while a resident of Bolster's Mills. He erected, in the 
mid 40's, the stately brick dwelling which stands today 
as a substantial improvement to his credit. About the 
same time, 1844 to 1846, he led off in a movement to secure 
the location of a public road over the plains on the Otisfield 
side of the river, running close to the river at Carsley's 
Falls, and leading on by the west side of Porcupine Hill 
to the county road, near Spurr's Corner. Three or four 
years after, he influenced the town of Harrison to lay out 
a road from the main road near George H. Cummings, to 
the new mills on Carsley's Falls site, already completed 
and doing a large business. 

In 1852, Mr. Barrows sold his mill and other property 
in Harrison and moved to Portland, where he erected a 
large brick dwelling and went into trade as a grocer. In 
1855, he was appointed City Marshal of Portland, and 
served honorably through one of the most critical periods 
of the municipal history of that city. He continued in 
active business in Portland, till 1875. He died there. 



BISBEE FAMILY. 

EBENEZER BISBEE settled in Harrison about 1800. 
He was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1782. He was 
connected by marriage with the Edsons. He had twelve 
children : 

HuLD.\ S., b. Sept. 12, 1804. 

Edmond W., b. Apr. 5, 1806; died May 22, 1827. 

Louisa, b. Apr. 8, 1808. 

Irene, b. May 4, 1809. 

Ebenezer, Jr., b. Feb. 24, 181 1. 

Ira, b. Feb. 9, 18 13. 

Martha, b. Nov. 14, 1814. 

William, b. Nov. 2, 1816. 

John, b. Nov. 5, 1818. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 345 

Solomon B., b. Mar. 30, 1820. 
Abigail B., b. Apr. 30, 1822. 
Hannah S., b. Sept. 20, 1825. 

The family is said to have removed to Aroostook Count)', 
early in the last century. A number of the children were 
born in Harrison. 



BLAKE FAMILY. 

The names of Grinfil! and Francis Blake have been men- 
tioned under the firm name of "G. & F. Blake," as leading 
merchants from before the year 1840, extending through 
two decades until the removal of Grinfill Blake to Phila- 
delphia, sometime in the forties, and the subsequent removal 
of Francis Blake to Portland in 1855. 

The advent of the Blakes to Harrison, their participa- 
tion in the business, political, religious, and social interests 
of our people, deserve particular notice in this connection. 
I have the esteemed privilege to give a brief account of 
the origin, and the historic antecedents of this distinguished 
family. 

GRINFILL BLAKE, son of Samuel Blake (b. in Taun- 
ton, Mass., 1747) and Abigail (Rickard) Blake, was born 
in Turner, Me., July 27, 1781. He married Eunice, daugh- 
ter of Major Daniel and Mehitable Brett Gary, at Turner 
in 1805. He was of "Mayflower stock," being descended 
in a direct line from Governor Carver, the first governor 
of Plymouth Colony. His children, through their mother, 
Eunice Gary, had a double descent from John and Priscilla 
Alden. 

Grinfill Blake lived in Hartford, Me., in 1808. In that 
year he changed his property in that town for Mr. Samuel 
Gammon's farm in Otisfield. "Squire" Blake (as he was 
generally called) was a man of education, and his qualifi- 
cations for the transaction of business requiring knowledge 



346 A HISTORY OF THE 

of statute law at once gave him a high standing in the 
respect and confidence of his fellow citizens of the lately 
incorporated town. He was often chosen as road surveyor, 
selectman, moderator of town meetings; was frequently 
chosen as a member of important committees, and, in 1818, 
was elected as a Representative of his district to the 
General Court in Boston. 

In 182 1, Esquire Blake exchanged his farm in Otisfield 
for Mr. James Sampson's property in Harrison, which con- 
sisted of a house and other buildings erected by Mr. 
Sampson, with the lands connected, also the water-power and 
mills located thereon, being the stream running from Anony- 
mous to Long Pond. The house in which Esquire Blake 
lived, and in which he died August 9, 1824, and in wrhich 
his widow died January 20, 1832, is the one which his 
son, Harrison Blake, occupied while living in this town. 

Esquire Blake was forty-three years of age when he 
became a citizen of Harrison, but in the three years which 
transpired before his decease he had, by his public spirit, 
his talent for useful service to his fellow citizens, and in 
the parish, greatly endeared himself to the people of the 
town. His death in the midst of active life duties, and 
in the expectation of a lengthy career of public useful- 
ness, was a severe loss to the town, and particularly to 
the community in which he lived ; but, more than all, to 
the youthful family of which he was the respected head. 

The children of Grinfill and Eunice (Gary) Blake were: 
Harrison, b. in Turner, Me., Sept. 12, 1805. 
ZiBEAH, b. in Hartford, Me., Jan. 27, 1808; married Charles 

Washburn, a young lawyer in Harrison. She died in 

Worcester, Mass., Aug. 12, 1845. 
Grinfill, b. in Otisfield, Me., Dec. 18, 181 1 ; married 

Elizabeth Farnsworth Perley, daughter of Maj. Thomas 

Perley of Bridgton. He died in Princeton, N. J. (where 

he had resided about two years), Dec. 2"], 1884. 

Lucia, b. in Otisfield, ; died at the age of three years. 

Eunice, b. in Otisfield, Nov. 5, 1813; was never married. 

She lived in Portland several years, and died in that city. 




Hon. Harrison Br.AKE 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 347 

Francis, b. in Otisfield, July 12, 1816; married Cornelia 
E., daughter of Cyrus Shaw of Oxford, Me. He died 
in Portland, July 25, 1859. 

John, b. in Otisfield, July 31, 1819 ; died the same day. 

HARRISON BLAKE married Susan Brett Cary, daugh- 
ter of Alanson Cary (born in Williamsburg, Mass. ; died 
in Turner, Me.) and Susan (Brett) Cary (born in Bridge- 
water, Mass.; died in Mclndoe's Falls, Vt.), Oct. 3, 1836. 
He was the heir and successor to the business interests and 
the homestead of his father, and actively engaged in pro- 
moting the prosperity of the estate. He also took a deep 
interest in the local affairs of the town, and in the Con- 
gregational Church, of which he was a devoted member. 
He possessed a fine intellect, and a memory of unusual 
power. When only a youth he often distinguished him- 
self by reciting lengthy passages from books after a single 
reading. (My father, the late Otis Fernald, who was a 
schoolmate and intimate friend of Mr. Blake, is my au- 
thority for the last statement.) He was a natural pol- 
itician, and as a Whig was elected twice to represent his 
district in the Legislature of Maine. 

In 1835, at the age of thirty-one, Mr. Blake commenced 
the study of law in the office of Gen. Samuel Fessenden 
of Portland, whose son, William Pitt Fessenden, was at 
the same time a student, preparing for the bar. Mr. Blake, 
after his graduation and admission to the bar, practiced 
his profession extensively in Cumberland and Oxford 
Counties, his ability and integrity winning for him a com- 
manding position among his legal associates. 

From the time of the organization of the Republican 
party, Mr. Blake was an active and consistent Republican, 
supporting with much zeal the candidacy of Gen Fremont 
for the Presidency in 1856, and subsequent candidates 
of the party during his life. He also served his town and 
legislative district with distinguished faithfulness in many 



348 A HISTORY OF THE 

public capacities. He was also, for twenty-four years, 
one of the trustees of Bridgton Academy. 

In 1859, Mr. Blake sold his property in Harrison, and 
for a number of years was engaged in important legal 
business affairs in Minneapolis, Minn., and in Pittsburgh. 
Pa., his family residing a part of the time in Maine, until 
he finally settled in New Brunswick, N. J., in 1866. He 
died there on July 8, 1882. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blake had six children, all born in Har- 
rison : Elizabeth Perley ; Grinfill ; Zibeah ; Susan Gary ; 
Harrison, and Isabel Adela. Of these there are living 
Susan Gary, who married David G. English, M. D., of New 
Brunswick, N. J. ; and Isabel Adela, who is unmarried, 
and resides in New Brunswick, N. J. 

Dr. David G. and Susan Gary English have one son, 
Grinfill Harrison Blake English, who married Mary Ber- 
tha Wilson, daughter of Thomas E. S. and Emma Price 
Wilson of Georgetown, Delaware. 

EUNIGE BLAKE, who was a most estimable lady, 
lived nearly all her life at Harrison Village. She possessed 
a cultured mind and fine literary sensibilities, and was 
known as a valued contributor to some of the best literary 
publications. Her merit as a writer has given her an 
honored place in the ranks of the most distinguished au- 
tliors of her State, as is seen by the following beautiful 
gem from the "Poets of Maine:" 

Thanks: — An Acrostic. 
Father, we thank Thee for the glorious light. 
Each morning new, and for the sacred night. 
Showing Thy love in planet, moon and star. 
Swiftly reflected, mirrored thus afar; 
Even so Thine attributes, all wise and good, 
Never are seen, never so understood. 
Devoutly felt, as when some master mind. 
Earnest to bless and succor all mankind. 
Nearest reflects Thy goodness unconfined. 

Miss Blake died in Portland in April, 1887. 




Dr. Silas Blake 



town of harrison. 349 

Item. 

Elizabeth Carver, daughter of Gov. Carver, married 
John Tillery. 

EHzabeth Tillery. daughter of John, married John How- 
land. 

Desire Howland, daughter of John, married Capt. John 
Gorham. 

Desire Gorham, daughter of Capt. John, married Col. 
John Thatcher. 

Desire Thatcher, daughter of Col. John, married Josiah 
Crocker. 

Desire Crocker, daughter of Josiah, married Grinfil! 
Blake. 

Samuel Blake, son of Grinfill, married Abigail Rickard. 

Grinfill Blake, son of Samuel, married Eunice Gary. 

Harrison Blake, son of Grinfill, married Susan Brett 
Gary. 

Susan Gary Blake, daughter of Harrison, married David 
G. English, M. D. 

Grinfill Harrison Blake English, son of Dr. David G. 
and Susan C. B. English, married Mary Bertha Wilson. 

Granville Fern.-\ld. 



DR. SILAS BLAKE. 

The life and public services of this noble man for nearly 
fifty years, covering the first half of the last century, in 
Otisfield, Harrison, and adjoining towns is an important 
part of the local history of those towns within the period 
mentioned. Dr. Blake was born in Turner, April 20, 1785. 
He married Sophia Gary of Turner, born November 20, 
1785. His medical education was obtained by study with 
local physicians. He was a member of the Massachusetts 
Medical Association in 18 18, and of the Maine Medical 
Association in 1822. Lie removed to Otisfield in 180S, 
and settled on a farm adjoining that of his brother, Grin- 
fill Blake, Esq., in the same year. The locality of these 
two fine homesteads was about a mile and a half northeast- 



35° A HISTORY OF THE 

erly from Otisfield hill meeting-house. When Dr. Blake 
came to Otisfield there was no physician in the town, ex- 
cept Dr. David Ray, who was quite advanced in life and 
not practicing medicine regularly ; and the advent of such 
a man as Dr. Blake was most cordially welcomed by the 
citizens of the town. He entered at once upon an extensive 
practice, and by his medical skill, and by his kindly qualities 
of heart won the respect and profound regards of every 
one, which for nearly fifty years of constant and self- 
denying service to a wide community, was held with in- 
creasing strength to the end of his life. 

Dr. Elake was in stature over six feet in height and 
of symmetrical form, and of a noble and commanding 
presence. He was one of my earliest discoveries of men, 
about the year 1830, when I was just two years old, and 
his entrance to our home, where he had the credit of 
"bringing a baby" once in a while for a number of years, 
rendered him an object of curiosity and veneration. He 
was very particular about his gig for his professional use, 
which was a wide, strongly built vehicle, with massive 
wheels and mounted on thorough-braces of leather. In 
winter, he rode in a sleigh of strong construction, roomy 
and comfortable for himself alone. My father, who was 
a carriage and sleigh maker, made several sleighs for the 
doctor, for his own and for family uses, with extra seat 
for riding to church. 

The popularity of Dr. Blake was not more owing to 
his professional ability than to his urbanity of manners 
and his kindly nature. Although possessing the physique 
of a giant, a head and face of great strength and impres- 
siveness and a piercing eye, his appearance in a sick room 
was as a bearer of pleasant smiles and facetious remarks 
that put his patients always in good humor, however they 
may have suffered or been discouraged before his arrival. 
He was a psychologist and realized the effect on the con- 
dition of a person from a happy mental impression. He 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 35 1 

had a fund of agreeable anecdotes and stories of real life 
well fitted to drive away the blues and excite a spirit of 
cheerfulness. He was a strict disciplinarian in his own 
family, and his children were always subject to a course 
of high moral training. One of his best stories was con- 
cerning his own boys and how cutely they managed to evade 
punishment for disobedience of one of his injunctions to 
them. 

He had a tree in his orchard, which bore very choice 
apples when they were ripe, and he wished to reserve them 
until they were in the best eating condition. He noticed 
however, that the boys were eating some of the green ap- 
ples. He told them to refrain from picking or knocking 
off any more apples from that tree and eating them. They 
contrived to get all the green apples they wanted, however, 
but escaped the threatened penalty on technical grounds. 
Being aware of one or two cases of colic, he became sus- 
picious the boys had disobeyed his orders, and that their 
pains were of the green apple variety. So he decided to 
inspect the apple tree for evidence of the truth of his su- 
picion. He soon discovered, to his great amusement, sun- 
dry apple-cores, neatly gnawed by the sharp teeth of the 
boys, still hanging on the tree by their stems. He let them 
off with a little "talking to" and the incident enabled him 
to furnish a choice bit of diversion from pain to a weak 
patient more restorative than pills or plasters. 

From his first residence in Otisfield, Dr. Blake exem- 
plified those traits of character which constituted him a 
leader and pattern to the citizens in the conduct of civic 
affairs and in the social and religious life of the town. He 
had been educated as a strict churchman, and was inflexible 
in his adherence to the orthodox tenets of the old New 
England school. His example as a regular church-goer 
for himself and his whole family was, doubtless, a direct 
influence in augmenting the interest in the public Sabbath 
services at the old meeting-house on the "Hill," and of 



352 A HISTORY OF THE 

the consequent growth of the Congregational church for 
many years. He was early elected a deacon of his church, 
an office which he honored with entire fidelity to the re- 
ligious welfare of the parish and to the church, as an in- 
stitution for conserving the highest spiritual morality of 
the people. He was no bigot, and could tolerate the dif- 
ferences existing between his own and other sects of Chris- 
tians. This phase of his religious character caused him, 
especially in the later years of his life, to often attend the 
social prayer-meetings of the Methodists in the village of 
his residence, and engage in the exercises of his fellow 
Christians with real sympathy and feeling. This tendency 
to freedom in expression of his brotherly confidence and 
fellowship was fully reciprocated in a closer affection for 
him by those to whom it was extended. 

In the management of the public affairs of the town. 
Dr. Blake always manifested much interest and was re- 
peatedly promoted to offices of trust by the citizens. In 
the years when the Legislature was sitting each year in 
Portland, he was chosen to represent his district in that 
body. He was a Justice of the Peace, and exercised the 
functions of that office with much intelligence and satis- 
faction to all who had occasion for his services. He was, 
in 1821, surgeon in the second regiment, first brigade, fifth 
division of the State Militia. 

In or about 1834, he exchanged his fine, productive farm 
for the homestead and a large tract of land belonging to 
Deacon Simeon Lovell of Bolster's Mills, and removed 
to that village with his large family, where he, at once 
erected a large mansion and barn, with convenient connect- 
ing buildings and established a system of improved and 
successful farming. When past his fiftieth year, and while 
in the height of his career as a beloved physician, he had 
the misfortune to receive a severe fracture of his hip by 
a fall on the ice, and was ever after so lame as to walk 
with much difficulty. He continued his intimate relations 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 353 

to his Christian brotherhood of other churches, when he 
was sufficiently restored from his accident, and when cir- 
cumstances permitted, to join in the social weekly meet- 
ings where the writer remembers to have seen him, lean- 
ing upon his strong cane, and speaking in fervid expressions 
of his experiences in the divine life. 

At this period of his life, his sons had grown to advanced 
manhood and were all settled in business or in one of the 
learned professions. Silas, the eldest, who had years be- 
fore been a school teacher, was in business in a distant 
State of the West. Joseph, who had graduated from the 
Bangor Theological Seminary, was settled as pastor at 
Cumberland. Maurice C, who had been to Bowdoin Col- 
lege, had studied law with Gen. Samuel Fessenden of 
Portland, and was in practice at Camden, Me. ; also Col- 
lector of the port of Belfast. Josiah M., who was several 
years in medical practice at Bolster's Mills and Harrison, 
was becoming eminent as a physician and surgeon, was 
settled in Bridgton. Luther C, the youngest son, in 1849, 
conceived an ardent desire to become a gold seeker in Cali- 
fornia and soon started for the Pacific coast and the "dig- 
gins," much to the grief of his aged parents and all the home 
family. The death of Dr. Blake occurred in Otisfield, 
February 2, 1851. 

The sons, Silas and Luther, yet unmarried, had returned 
home from their lengthy absence and in 18 — , the family 
removed to Harrison Village, after selling their homestead 
to William Haskell of Harrison. The, children of Silas 
and Sophia (Cary) Blake were: 

Silas, b. in Otisfield, Apr. 6, 1812; died in Harrison, 
Nov. 19, 1868. He married, Sept. 17, 1863, Clara Cary 
Richardson, a natural daughter of Rev. James Prentiss 
Richardson, who had been bereft of her mother in in- 
fancy, b. Sept. 5, 1832, in Poland, Me. She had lived 
all her life in the family of Dr. Blake as an own daugh- 
ter. The home of the family in Harrison Village was 
the former residence of Mr. John Parsons, now the 



354 A HISTORY OF THE 

home of Mrs. Otis Haskell. Here the widow of Dr. 
Blake rounded out the period of a long and beautiful 
life, surviving her husband seventeen years. She was 
a woman of most excellent character, of gentle, refined 
manners and a preference for a quiet, domestic life, 
the fitting companion of her worthy husband and the 
mother of a historic family. She passed to the higher 
life, Dec. 8, 1890. Silas Blake, Jr., was a well educated 
man and was a school teacher, and in his early manhood 
studied medicine for a time with his father, but never 
practiced the profession. He went to a western State 
and engaged in business for a number of years, re- 
turning home before the death of his father. He was 
in mercantile business a number of years in Harrison. 
He was much interested in public affairs, and was highly 
esteemed as a neighbor and citizen. He died Nov. 19, 
1868. Children : 

1. Josiah, b. July 27, 1864; died Aug. 17, 1865. 

2. James P., b. Oct. 3, 1865 ; graduated from Bowdoin 

Medical School in 1892 ; was in the M. C. Hospital 
one year, then practiced in Minot one year ; came 
to Harrison in 1894. 

3. Silas Grinfill, b. July 28, 1868: died Aug. 17, 1868. 

Joseph, b. in Otisfield, Jan. 21, 1814. He was a grad- 
uate of Bangor Theological Seminary, and was a devoted 
minister of the Congregational Church in Cumberland, 
Me., for many years and in Gilmanton, N. H. He mar- 
ried Hannah Clark of Wells, Me. He died in Andover, 
Mass. 

Maurice C, b. Oct. 20, 1815, in Otisfield. He was a 
student at Bowdoin College for a term or more, but 
never graduated. He studied law in the office of Gen. 
Samuel Fessenden of Portland, and settled for a few 
years in Camden, Me., where he was a successful lawyer 
and an official of the U. S. Revenue service. He mi- 
grated to California in the 40's and settled in San Fran- 
cisco, where he at once took a commanding position as 
a lawyer, and was soon promoted to the office of Judge 
of the Criminal Court and was, afterward, Judge of the 
Probate Court for a long term of years. Judge Blake 
was elected mayor of San Francisco in 1882, and received 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 355 

the nomination on the RepubHcan ticket for Governor 
of the State in 1886. He inherited many fine traits of 
character and was physically a splendid type of man- 
hood and retained his constitutional vigor and erectness 
of form to the last years of his life. He never married; 
his death occurred Sept. 26, 1897. 

JosiAH Merrill, b. in Otisfield, July i, 1817. He was 
a fine scholar in his boyhood, and taught school a num- 
ber of years, in which vocation he acquired considerable 
fame as an instructor and manager of the big, unruly 
boys of that period. He studied medicine with his 
father and at Bowdoin Medical School, graduating in 
1843, as M. D. He settled first at Bolster's Mills in 
Otisfield, and was a popular and successful physician 
in that and in other neighboring towns. He removed 
in 1853 to Bridgton and lived there the remainder of 
his life. He was possessed of unusual physical powers, 
was, in his youth, quite an athlete of the amateur type 
and hard to handle in a rural wrestling match. He had 
great musical gifts by nature, and' as a vocalist was rare- 
ly excelled. He was also a proficient performer on the 
flute and violin, and in mature years became a member 
of the first Bridgton brass band, and its leader in 1854, 
playing the Eb bugle. His fame as a learned and suc- 
cessful physician is yet remembered. He married Oct. 
16, 1844, Miss Harriet, daughter of Hon. Luther Fitch 
of Portland. Their children were : 

1. Silas, b. in Otisfield, Dec. 12, 1845. He went to 
Washington Territory in 1876. He was owner of 
a stock ranch in that territory, afterwards lived and 
died in Montana, Mar. 18, 1899. 

2. Almira F., b. in Otisfield ; married William Brad- 

ley of Fryeburg. They had one daughter, Annie 
Carey. Mr. Bradley died in 1906. Mrs. Bradley 
and daughter reside at North Bridgton. 

3. Annie, b. in Bridgton ; malrried Edward Kimball 
of Bridgton. Mr. Kimball died July i, 1908. Mrs. 
Kimball resides in North Bridgton. 

4. Harriet Fitch, b. in Bridgton ; is unmarried ; resides 
at North Bridgton. 

5. Edward Josiah, b. Nov. 23, 1857, in Bridgton. He 

fitted for college at Bridgton Academy ; entered 
the State University in 1875, and graduated in class 



356 A HISTORY OF THE 

of '79, as civil engineer. His first professional em- 
ployment was on the survey for a railroad between 
Bridgton and Portland in the winter of 1879-80. 
In 1880, he entered the service of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy R. R. Company, at Burlington, 
Iowa. In 1881, he entered the service of the Wa- 
bash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Co., with head- 
quarters at Peoria. In 1883, he was transferred to 
the engineer's office of the Wabash Railroad Co., 
at Springfield, 111., where he remained until i88j, 
when he again entered the employ of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy at Chicago, as engineer of 
terminals, remaining there until 1887. In 1885, he 
married Miss Sofie D. Johnson, who survives him. 
He was thereafter promoted as follows : 1887, Chief 
Engineer of the Missouri Lines of the C. B. & Q. 
R. R. Co. ; 1890, Chief Engineer of the C. B. & 
Q. R. R. Co. ; 1899, Consulting Engineer of the 
Burlington System, a position which he held when 
his untimely and tragical death occurred. May 29, 
igoa. "In Menioriam," a special tribute to the char- 
acter and abilities of Mr. Blake, published by the 
Western Society of Engineers, thus speaks of him : 
"He was, indeed, a man of unobtrusive manner, re- 
tiring disposition and unpretentious ways. He never 
put himself forward, never urged his own claims; 
simply did his best, and let the work speak for 
itself ; and it speaks volumes for his real merit and 
sterling ability, that he so far gained the confidence 
of his employers that they, unsolicited, advanced 
him to the highest position in his profession, within 
their gift." Mr. Blake was instantly killed May 
29, 1902, by a collision of two cars, while at work 
superintending the execution of important engineer- 
ing operations under his direction. 
Luther C, b. in Otisfield, May 31, 1819. He had a good 
common school training, but did not aspire to a scholastic 
profession. He remained at home superintending and 
laboring on the excellent home farm, and, except the 
short time of his California trip in 1850, he was devoted 
to the service and comfort of his parents. He married 
Sept. 15, '64, in Harrison, Catherine P., daughter of 
David L., and Sophronia (Spurr) Perley of Harrison. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 357 

They had one daughter, Ellen Perley, b. Nov. 27, 1866. 
They resided in Harrison Village and North Bridgton 
during their married life, until the decease of Mr. Blake, 
Feb. 12, 1894, since which, Mrs. Blake and daughter 
have lived in the comfortable home of Mrs. Blake's 
brother, William Sumner Perley. Luther C. Blake was 
one of the "noblest works of God — an honest man." He 
was kind of heart, gentle in manner ,with all the essential 
traits of a Christian gentleman. He was a skilled me- 
chanic in the tinner's trade for years in Harrison, and 
as a neighbor and citizen was most highly esteemed. 

Sophia Cary, b. Apr. 19, 1821 ; she was educated at 
Bridgton and Gorham Academy, and was a teacher in 
the public schools for several years. She married Nov. 
2.-J, 1851, Rev. Rufus Morrill Sawyer of Otisfield, b. in 
1820, a learned and devoted minister of the Congrega- 
tional Church. He graduated from Bangor Theological 
Seminary, Aug. 27, 185 1. He preached in Maine during 
the first few years of his ministry, but subsequently re- 
moved to Iowa and settled in the ministry until the end of 
his life. Children: 

1. Silas Blake, b. Oct. 12, 1852; married Susan Depui ; 
their children were : Annie U. and Silas B. Annie 
U. married Louis Watson. They have one child, 
Lois ; live in Hamilton, Montana. Silas B. 2d, mar- 
ried Harriet Harrison ; they have one child, Maurice 
Blake : live in Billings, Montana. Silas Blake Saw- 
yer, son of Rev. Rufus and Sophia (Blake) Sawyer 
married 2d, Emma Szitwick ; their children were : 
Sophia Cary, married Carl Wilson ; they have one 
child and live in Basin, Wyoming. Lila E., married 
Orlo Earle; they have two children: live in Bill- 
ings, Montana. Rufus M., lives in Vancouver, B. 
C. John, lives in Vancouver, B. C. Bertha. 

2. Julia Elizabeth, b. Aug. 28, 1854; died Sept. 13, 

1872. 

3. Clara Carey, b. Oct. 9, 1856; married Fred M. 
Tomlinson, Jan. i, 1878; their children were: Ada 
Proctor: died 1882. Maurice Blake: died- 1882. 
Lola Blake. Harold Eri. Albert Dewey. Ruby 
Sophia. All reside at 6518 Union Ave., Chicago. 



3-58 A HISTORY OF THE 

4. Susie M., b. Feb. 3, 1858; married Henry Heurich ; 

tlieir children were : Clara Cary, Russel, Wallace ; 
they live in Teviston, Arizona. 

5. Charles Luther, b. Aug. 23, 1859. 

6. William Herbert, b. Mar. 24, 1861 ; died autumn of 

1872. 

7. Elizabeth Langdon, b. Aug. 10, 1864; married Val- 

entine Diehl ; their children were : Doris, married 
Raymond L. Bronson ; they have one son, Otis. 
Maurice, Philip, X'alentine, Waldo Ralph and Catli- 
erine Elizabeth ; they live in Mitchell, South Dakota. 
Rev. Rufus M. Sawyer died Nov. 29, 1852. Mrs. 
Sophia Cary (Blake) Sawyer died Nov. 21, 1891 



BOLSTER FAMILY. 

ISAAC BOLSTER, for whom the village of Bolster's 
Mills has its name, was a son of Isaac Bolster of Paris, 
born May 22, 1769; married Hannah Cushman of Hebron, 
March 9, 1794. She was born April 16, 1777, and died 
January 25, 1865. He died January 8, 1835. Mr. Bolster 
purchased water power and land on Crooked River and 
built a dam and saw mill in 1819; and a grist mill in 1820. 
He never resided in Harrison. 

Isaac, Jr., b. in Paris, Feb. 22, 1797: married Polly 
Cushman of Buckfield, and settled in Harrison in 182 1. 
He built the first store at Bolster's Mills ; believed 
to have been the same long owned and occupied by 
Wyatt Turner, and at this time owned and occupied by 
Isaac Skillings. Mr. Bolster was a Justice of the Peace. 
He resided in town fifteen years. His children, born in 
Harrison, were : 

1. Eleanor, b. Apr. 23, 1820 ; married James Bennett 
of Norway. 

2. John Augustus, b. June 28, 1822 ; married May 6, 

1852, Almira Adams of Andover, (b. May 16, 1824). 
He resided nearly all his life in Norway Village, 
and was a very active man in business, politics, and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 359 

in moral reform movements, especially in temperance 
reform. He was widely known as a dealer in live- 
stock, and was a representative of his town to the 
Legislature. He died June 3, 1902, aged 80 years. 
The other children of Isaac Bolster, born in Harri- 
son, but never identified afterward with the progress 
of the town, are omitted from this record. Mrs^ 
Almira (Adams) Bolster died Mar. 11, 1880. Chil- 
dren of J. A. Bolster: Frances D., b. Apr. 9, 1856; 
died July 14, 1878. Fred Augustus, b. Mar. i, 1858, 
married Mrs. Emma Morey of Otisfield ; resided in 
Bolster's Mills since 1904. James Freeland, b. Feb. 
8, i860 ; lives in Norway Village ; is a maker of ceme- 
tery marble work and undertaker. 

WiLLi.\M, a younger brother of Isaac, Jr., b. in Paris, June 
23, 1804, settled here in 1826. He was identified with 
his brother in the milling business and added an impor- 
tant feature to the industries of the place by the erection 
of a large building on the Harrison side of the river for 
fulling and dressing the homemade woolen cloth of the 
people in the surrounding region. He owned a large 
amount of land in various tracts and was a busy farmer 
as well as mill-man. He married Hannah, daughter of 
Thaddeus and Lydia (Spurr) Turner of Otisfield. They 
had one child. 
I. Martha Louisa, b. Feb. 18, 1835, married Gilbert 

S. Pearsons of Windsor, \t. They removed to 

Denver, Colo. 

Mr. Bolster married 2d, Nancy Edwards of Otisfield. 
Children : 

1. Hannah Ellen, b. Jan. 17, 1844; died July 18, 1864. 

2. Albert W., b. July 22, 1847, married Jenny W. Emery. 

They live in Brockton, Mass. 

William Bolster was a man of excellent character, a kind 
and obliging neighbor and progressive citizen. On account 
of his kindly qualities and economical habits, he was se- 
lected by Mr. Samuel Baker, who had a good farm on the 
Gilson Hill, as deserving to receive said farm as a gift on 
the condition that he would assume the care and support 
of Mr. Baker and his wife during the remainder of their 



360 A HISTORY OF THE 

lives. That incident occurred in the year . Mr. Bol- 
ster then removed from his commodious home in the vil- 
lage to the Baker farm and continued to live there until 
his death, September 17, 1874. Mrs. Hannah Bolster died 
June 17, 1840. Mrs. Nancy Bolster died . 



BRACKETT FAMILY. 

CAPTAIN JOHN BRACKETT, the ancestor of the 
several families of that name, who have lived here dur- 
ing the last century, was born in Falmouth, Maine, April 
II, 1761. He was the youngest son of Anthony Brackett, 
Jr., and wife, Abigail Chapman of Falmouth and was of 
the sixth generation from Anthony Brackett who was 
a selectman of Portsmouth, N. H., in 1640. 

The first Bracketts that came to this country landed in 
Boston in the year 1629 from Scotland. The Bracketts 
who settled in Falmouth were for many years in the 17th 
and i8th centuries, involved in the conflicts with the French 
and Indians for supremacy of the English settlers in the 
province of Maine, and were valiant Indian fighters, many 
brave colonists of the Brackett name being taken captive 
or slain by the Indians. The most notable tragedy in the 
course of the Indian troubles in Falmouth in which any 
member of this family was concerned was the killing of 
Captain Anthony Brackett of the second generation, on 
his farm at Back Cove, on the site of the well known man- 
sion of the James Deering family, a short distance from 
Deering's Bridge, Portland, September 21, 1689. 

Captain Brackett was a soldier during the last three years 
of the American Revolution, but did not serve under a com- 
mission. He received the title of Captain from the gov- 
ernment of Massachusetts after the war under a commission 
as an officer in the State militia. He was a United States 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 361 

pensioner under a claim filed in 1820, in which he sets forth 
that he owned one hundred acres, cold, wet, and not good 
for agricultural purposes, small house and barn on same ; 
five cows, four steers, four yearlings, fourteen sheep, one 
horse, two pigs and some farming tools ; that he was unable 
to pursue his occupation because of disability from a very 
lame and broken leg: that his wife was fifty-five years 
old, was very feeble, and had been for twenty years ; that 
with him resided his daughter, Elizabeth, aged twenty 
years, lame and feeble; his son John, aged fifteen years, 
who was able to work : and his son Chapman, aged twelve 
years, who was able to work very little. Captain Brackett 
was fifty-nine years old when his application for pension 
was made under the act of Congress of 1818. The claim 
was rejected on the ground that he was not so poor as to 
have a title to a pension under that act. Under a more 
liberal act of 183 1, he was allowed a pension. 

Captain Brackett was a man of strong religious faith, and 
according to a description of the closing event of his life 
written by his grandson, Rev. Silas B. Brackett, "He died 
shouting 'victory over death ;' that through Jesus he was 
conqueror, and saying, 'Yes, I shall see him : then I will not 
be lame and gray ; I will be young as when a worldly 
soldier boy!" He died February 22, 1844. His wife was 
Mary Walker of Westbrook, a daughter of George Walker, 
who resided between Pride's Bridge and Duck Pond in 
Westbrook. She was born August 11, 1765, and died in 
Harrison, September 18, 1843. 

The homestead of Captain Brackett was on the road 
leading from Bolster's Mills to Waterford, the same now 
occupied by Mr. Charles Jordan, near the Brackett school- 
house. His son. Walker, who moved with his parents to 
Harrison in 181 1, who married Calista Wight of Casco, 
was for many years their main stay and support during 
their declining years. The children of Captain John and 
Mary (Walker) Brackett, all born in Westbrook, were: 



362 A HISTORY OF THE 

George, b. Sept. 26, 1787; died unmarried, Oct. 21, 1814. 

William, b. Aug. 25, 1789; married Oct. i, 181 1, Sarah 
Hobbs, daughter of Jonathan Hobbs of Falmouth, b. July 
6, 1792; died in Bethel, Me., July 31, 1856. William 
Brackett served in the War of 1812, for a time. After 
his wife's death he resided in Westbrook with his daugh- 
ter Lucretia, wife of Moses Cobb. His death occurred 
Feb. 7, 1865. Children : 

1. Daniel Hobbs, b. June 3, 1813, in Waterford, Me. 

He lived in the towns of Waterford, Freeport and 
Yarmouth, where he was a farmer and brickmaker. 
He married Aug. 2, 1838, Hannah Bennett of Yar- 
mouth (b. Feb. 20, 1816; died Sept. 27, 1879), daugh- 
ter of William and Hannah (Day) Bennett. Chil- 
dren: Orrin W., b. Jan. 13, 1841, in Freeport, Me.: 
resided in Yarmouth ; served in Co. G., 25th Me. 
Vol. Inf. (9 months) ; married Dec. 24, 1866, Harriet 
N. S. Walker, daughter of William and Lois (Soule) 
Walker: died Feb. 4, 1900. Children: Gertrude 
E., b. Feb. 18, 1869 ; married William R. Craig 
of Freeport ; resides there ; children : Harriet V., 
b. July 29, 1887. Carl H., b. June 29, 1890. Lois 
M., b. Dec. 22, 1893. Alvernice M., b. Sept. 2, 
1872 ; is unmarried. Alvin M., b. Jan. 7, 1843 ; 
died Mar. i, 1864: served in Co. F. ist Me. Vol. 
Cav. ; was in Dahlgren's raid on Richmond, Va. ; 
was reported killed in battle Mar. 4, 1864. Ellen L., 
b. Dec. 24, 1848: mar. Edwin Fitz ; home in West 
Pownal, Me. Henry D., b. Sept. 19, 185 1 ; married 
Nov. 14, 1871, Eliza P. Tuttle, b. July 3, 1854, 
daughter of James T. and Elizabeth J. (Fitz) Tut- 
tle of Freeport ; home in Yarmouthville, Me. ; is 
a traveling salesman. Mrs. Brackett is secretary 
(1906) of the Brackett Family Association. No 
children. 

2. Mary, b. July 5, 1814; married James W. Fogg of 

Harrison. Children: George Sumner, b. July 14, 
1838 : married Georgianna Hall, daughter of Tones 
R. Hall of Waterford, Nov. 18, 1869: Children: 
Berthie, b. Sept. 7, 1871, in Westbrook; married 
George N. Anthoine, Oct. 22, 1890; one child: Faith 
Anthoine, b. Oct. 7, 1900. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 363 

3. Sibyl Small, b. July 23, 1816; married George Par- 

sons of Norway; she died Sept. 7, 1868. 

4. George W., b. May 6, 1818, in Harrison: lived in 

Waterford several years ; later in Harrison as suc- 
cessor to his father on the farm where he was born. 
He married ist, iMay 17, 1842, Rebecca, (b. Oct. 21, 
1818), daughter of Joseph and Betsy (Dyer) Bailey 
of Westbrook, Ale. ; married 2d, Mary, widow of 
Moses Pattee of Bethel, Me. Mr. Brackett was a 
man of excellent character ; a member of the M. E. 
Church in Harrison, and a prominent citizen in the 
civil affairs of the town. He was repeatedly elected 
to the board of selectmen, and served the town in 
various other stations. He died in Westbrook, Oct. 
17, 1893. Mrs. Rebecca (Bailey) Brackett died in 
Harrison, June 24, 1880. Children of George and 
Rebecca: Christiana, b. Jan. 3, 1844; died Oct. 26, 
1858. Addie S., b. June 6, 1849; married May i, 
1878, W. H. H. Bryant ; they had children : Myrton 
A., b. Apr. II, 1880; home in Cumberland Mills, 
Me. Pamela A., b. Aug. 24, 185 1 : married June 
27, 1871, George A. Hall of Waterford, Me, died 
Oct. 13. 1882: children: Altie M., b. May 30, 1874; 
died in June, 1876. John B., b. Aug. 16, 1877. Lelia 
Alai, b. July 26, 1881. Emil J., b. June 25, 1854, in 
Harrison : resides in Westbrook on a farm ; mar- 
ried 1st, June 6, 1878, Etta, daughter of Seba and 
Jane (Frost) Gammon of Norway, Me., who died 
Oct. 14, 1885 : and on Dec. 3. 1886. he married 2d, 
Kate, daughter of William and Emeline Knight of 
Peru, Me. ; their children were : Lulu, b. June 7, 
1880: died Aug. 3, 1880. Ella Rebecca, b. Feb. 4, 
1883: died Dec. 21. 1900. George Edwin, b. June 
16, 1857 : married Harriet Bailey of Mechanic 
Falls : have one son : Carl Bailey ; reside at Cum- 
berland Mills, Westbrook, Me. Elizabeth Louisa, 
b. Aug. 30, 1859 ; married Horace Annas of Bethel : 
no children. IMartha Ellen, b. Aug. 26, 1864 ; mar- 
ried Freeman Brown of Westbrook. 

5. Lois P., b. Nov. 26, 1819. (See Perley family.) 

6. Jonathan Hobbs, b. Feb. 19, 1821 ; resided in East 

North Yarmouth. He was a farmer and mechanic. 



364 A HISTORY OF THE 

He married Sept. 14, 1843, Elizabeth Ann Bennett 
of Yarmouth, b. Apr. 7, 1882; died Apr. 9, 1884; 
she was a sister of Hannah, wife of Daniel H. Brack- 
ett. No children. Married 2d, Lucia Jewell of Har- 
rison. He died Feb. 22, 1907. 

7. Sarah, b. Apr. 14, 1822 ; married Artemas Mason of 

Mason, Me. She died in 1895. Children: Delia, 
married Charles Merrill. Cora, married Hastings 
Bean ; resides in South Paris, Me. Oscar ; resides 
in Bethel, Me. Artemas Mason died Aug. 24, 1893. 

8. Ann M., b. Sept. 26, 1823 ; married Apr. 10, 1853, 

Woodsum Mason, son of Sylvanus and Lydia (Scrib- 
ner) Mason of Bethel; he was a farmer, born in 
Bethel, Dec. 20, 1818; they removed to Westbrook, 
and in 1887 to Pomona, Cal, where they both died. 
Children : Sadie, b. Nov. 19, 1855 ; married July 
30, 1881, Dr. Frank B. Tuell ; reside in Bethel, 
and have children: Ella Mildred, b. Sept. 11, 1883. 
Gilbert Woodsum, b. Aug. 9, 1884. Charles B., b. 
Oct. 27, 1893. Annie, b. June 5, 1857; married 
June 4, 1881, Charles S. Johnson; home in Pomona, 
Cal. Winnifred, b. Sept. 22, 1858 ; married July 
30, 1881, William H. Thomas; home in Providence, 
R. I. ; children : George, b. Dec. 20, 1883. Herbert, 
b. Oct. 3, 1859 : died in infancy. Freddy, b. Feb. 6, 
1861 ; died in infancy. Charles, b. Mar. 29, 1865; 
married Nov. 24, 1898, Alma Webber of Los An- 
geles, Cal. ; children : Curtis Woodsum, b. Aug. 10, 
1899. George Malcolm, b. July 22, 1901. Donald 
Robert, b. July 22, 1903. Bessie Ellen, b. Jan. 5, 
1906. Bessie, b. Nov. 13, 1870 ; home in Pomona, 
Cal. Woodsum Mason died in Pomona, Cal., Mar. 
14, 1897. Mrs. Ann (Brackett) Mason died in Po- 
mona, Cal., Sept. 26, 1904. 

9. Lucretia, b. Apr. 7, 1826; married Moses Knight 

Cobb of Westbrook, Me. They resided all their 
married life in Westbrook; several years in the vil- 
lage of Saccarappa (now the City of Westbrook), and 
for nearly fifty years on a farm about two miles 
easterly from the city. Mr. Cobb was a son of 
James and Dorcas (Knight) Cobb. Mrs. Lucretia 
Cobb died Apr. 16, 1882. Children: William Brack- 
ett, b. Mar. 29, 1859, in Westbrook, Me. ; learned 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 365 

the machinist trade in a Westbrook estabhshment, 
subsequently working in Boston and Providence ; 
for more than twenty years, he has been proprietor 
of a machine shop in Cleveland, Ohio, at Nos. 51 
and 53 \'ermont St., and is noted for his excellent 
workmanship and honorable business career ; mar- 
ried Mar. 12, 1890, Annie Dennis, daughter of Wil- 
liam H. and Thurza Webber of Devonshire, Eng. ; 
one child: Eugene Webber, b. Feb. 7, i8gi. 
George Moses, b. May 11, i860; married Jennie 
Little ; resides on paternal farm in Westbrook ; chil- 
dren : ]\Iildred and George. Leander Barker, b. Feb. 
2, 1863 : married Julia S. Little ; resides at Mel- 
rose Highlands, Mass. ; his business address is 380 
Atlantic Ave., Boston. 

10. Dorcas Ellen, b. Feb. 20, 1830; married Leander 

T. Barker of Bethel, a prominent citizen in town 
affairs and for several years postmaster. He is 
also interested in farming. Mrs. Dorcas Ellen Bar- 
ker died Sept. 16, 1891. No children. 

11. Cyrene Emeline, b. Dec. 22, 1833; married Samuel 

Dunn of North Yarmouth. They resided at Bethel 
Hill a number of years where Mr. Dunn deceased 

in . Mrs. Dunn afterward married A. K. 

Browne, Esq., of Washington, D. C., and removed to 
that city. Mr. Browne was a lawyer, practicing 
in the various courts of the district and had a high 
standing in the legal profession and as a Republican 

politician. He died in . Mrs. Cyrene E. Browne 

died Oct. 26, 1899, in Providence, R. L 

Enoch, b. July 27, 1793; married Sept. 21, 1818, Ara- 
minta, daughter of Simeon and Rachel (Staples) Cas- 
well of Harrison. Mr. Brackett was a farmer by oc- 
cupation; vi-as a thrifty and successful business man, 
and accumulated a good property, endowing each of his 
children handsomely at their marriages. He died in Har- 
rison, Oct. 16, 1871. Their children: 
I. Eliza, b. Dec. 27, 1819; married Amos Small of 
Harrison. Amos Small died Sept. i, 1875. Eliza 
(Brackett) Small died Jan. i, 1887. Children: Enoch 
Brackett, b. Feb. 15, 1841, in Harrison; married 
Clara Tyler of Mason, Me. ; they had one daughter, 



366 A HISTORY OF THE 

Mabel Eliza, b. Jan. 13, 1872; married Henry Ed- 
mund Jillson of Otisfield, Nov. 3, 1895, in Harrison; 
children: Ethel Ellen, b. Oct. 8, 1896. Janette June, 
b. June 8, 1898. Morton Small, b. Mar. 4, 1902. 
Mr. Small married 2d, Mrs. Fannie Ackley of Har- 
rison, Ohio. They reside at Bolster's Mills. Ara- 
minta Brackett, b. June 6, 1845 ; married Alfred 
Osgood Noyes of Harrison, Nov. 28, 1885 ; they re- 
side in Harrison on a beautiful farm, the same for- 
merly owned by Samuel Abbott, near the head of 
Anonymous Pond. 

2. Ednah, b. July 11, 1821, died Aug. 12, 1896; married 
in Harrison, Apr. 21, 1840, David Sawyer, b. in 
Otisfield, June i, 1811 ; died Mar. 8, 1879. Their 
children : Fernald Jordan, b. July 21, 1841 ; married 
Mary E. Oilman, of South Newmarket, N. H., b. 
Dec. 26, 1 84 1 ; children: Ernest F., b. Jan. i, 1874; 
died Aug. 12, 1874. Fernald D., b. Aug. 12, 1875. 
Delia M., b. Oct. 4, 1878 ; died May 14, 1887. David 
Andrews, b. Jan. i, 1846; died Nov. 21, i860. Har- 
riet Andrews, b. Sept. 3, 1850; she had the advan- 
tages of the common and high schools, and com- 
menced teaching at 18 years of age in Harrison and 
continued in the educational field for twenty-five 
years. She taught about twenty-five terms almost 
consecutively in one district in Otisfield, and taught, 
in all, about thirty-five terms in Harrison, Otisfield 
and Oxford; retired about fifteen years ago and 
resides in Otisfield. Mary Elizabeth, b. in Harri- 
son, Nov. 21, 1857. She taught successfully a num- 
ber of years in Harrison, Otisfield, Norway and Ox- 
ford. She resides in Otisfield. 

3. Joseph L., b. ; married Hannah, daughter 

of Edward and Martha (Lamb) Lowell of Harrison. 
They had one daughter : Catherine Lowell, b. June 
15, 1845; married Charles D. Stuart of Harrison. 
They had two children : Elwyn Milton, b. Dec. 5, 
1870. Rosalie B., b. Oct. 20, 1872 ; married Louis 
Augustus Bovee, Apr. 20, 1908; they reside at Bol- 
ster's Mills. 

4. Fanny L., b. Jan. 28, 1823 ; married Daniel B. Saw- 
yer of Otisfield : they settled in Westbrook, below 
Duck Pond on the Portland road. Children : David 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 367 

E., b. Nov. 21, 1841. George L. Elizabeth. Sarah 
D. Mary D. Millard. John R. Angelia, b. Jan. 
16, 1863. 
5. Lewis Granville, b. Nov. 25, 1833 ; married Eliza Ann 
Edwards of Otisfield, June 9, 1859. She was born 
May II, 1840. Their children were: Lyman Cas- 
well, b. Mar. 8, i860; died Feb. 4, 1877. Lunetta 
Eliza, b. Aug. 21, 1862. Leona Gladys, b. Feb. 4, 
1865. Lyndon Joseph, b. Oct. 4, 1869. 

Lewis G. Brackett served as a private in Company B. 23d 
Regt. Me. Inf. in the Civil War. He was an enterprising 
and prosperous farmer. He died Feb. 19, 1887. His widow 
died March 25, 1908. 

Walker, b. in Westbrook, Apr. 7, 1796; married Calista 
Wight of Raymond, Me., (b. Oct. 26. 1794; died Feb. 19, 
1875), daughter of Dr. Joseph and Olive (Mann) Wight. 
He settled on the farm of his father, near Caswell's Cor- 
ner in Harrison, and was an industrious and prosperous 
farmer. He was a useful citizen and was honored with 
promotion to offices in the town and county. They had 
ten children : 

I. Silas Blake, b. Nov. 11, 1818; was a preacher in 
the Maine conference of the M. E. Church for four- 
teen years. He moved from Norway, Me., to Dwight 
III. in 1869, afterward settling in Chicago, in 1889, 
where he died in Dec, 1895. He married Sarah Ann 
Burnham of Harrison, b. Apr. 12, 182 1 ; they had 
fifteen children: Silas Frederick, b. Aug. 14, 1846, 
in Farmington, Me. Franklin Peirce, b. Sept. 27, 
1847. Alpheus Lovewell, b. June 16, 1849. in In- 
dustry, Me. Henry Campbell, b. July 29, 1850. \'ir- 
gil Neal, b. Jan. i, 1852. Peel Bodwell, b. Apr. 11, 
1853. Velzora Eastman, b. July 8, 1854. Josephine 
Mariah, b. Dec. 11, 1855; died Nov. 22, 1870. Gil- 
bert Marion, b. May 13, 1857 ; died Feb. 5, 1869. 
Mary Geneva, b. July 28, 1858; died Apr. 3, 1884. 
Lavinia Downing, b. Sept. 19, 1859. Sumner Burn- 
ham, b. Sept. 27, i860: died Nov. 4, 1870. Calista, 
b. Mar. 26, 1862. Oliver Stevens, b. Mar. 16, 1863; 
died May 24, 1863. Abbie Anna, b. June 13, 1865. 
Mrs. Sarah Ann (Burnham) Brackett died Apr. 18, 
1889. 



368 A HISTORY OF THE 

Alpheus Lovewell Brackett, third son of Rev. Silas B. 
Brackett, married Annie L. Ditmars of Somerville, Mas- 
sachusetts ; born September 25, 1857. Their children, all 
born in that State, are: Annie May, b. Nov. 13, 1881. Alice 
Burnham, born September 9, 1884 ; died August 10, 1885. 
Alpheus Ditmars, born December 8, 1885. Arthur Ham- 
ilton, born February 14, 1888. Anthony Howard, born 
March 15, 1890. Abigail Helen, born February 23, 1895. 
Mr. Brackett has been for many years in the employ of 
the International Steamship Company, as baggage master 
and United States mail carrier, between Boston and the 
Eastern Provinces. 

Hon. Virgil Neal Brackett, fifth son, married Clara S. 
Tibbetts of Rochester, New York, born April 27, 1868. 
They have a son : Thomas Reed Brackett. 

2. Polly W., b. Aug. 15, 1820; married May 23, 1844, 

Seth Pike of Norway, Me. Children: Roxie Ann, 
b. Feb. 4, 1846: married Oct. 24, 1865, B. E. Vining ; 
died Feb. 3, 1875. Granville Porter, b. Apr. 16, 1848; 
died May 30, 1849. Elbridge Brackett, b. June -12, 
1851 ; married Elizabeth Flint of Waterford ; they 
have a son : Harold Flint Pike. Nina Weston, b. 
June 7, 1854: died Aug. 26, 1902. Mary Estella, 
b. Mar. 10, i860; resides in Norway. Celia Helen, 
b. Oct. 10, 1863 ; resides in Norway. Seth Pike 
died Oct. 3, 1886. Polly W. Pike died June 28, 
1895- 

3. Nancy Caldwell, b. Nov. 19, 1822; married Nov. 7, 

1844, Alfred Noyes of Harrison ; he died Sept. 27, 
1848: they had one son: Alfred Osgood, b. Aug. 
27, 1847 ; their son, Erland Frank, b. Aug. 28, 1877. 
Mrs. Nancy C. Noyes died in the home of her son, 
Osgood, in Harrison, Nov. 23, 1805. 

4. Walker, Jr., b. Nov. 24, 1824; married Leach 

of Casco. They had two children : Ella M., b. 

; married George N. Burnham of Bridgton. 

Mrs. — — Leach Brackett died . Mr. Brackett 

married 2d, Jenny Hackett of . Mrs. Jenny 

H. Brackett died . Mr. Brackett married 3d, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 369 

Mrs. Nellie Dresser of Hallowell, Me. Mr. Brack- 
ett died Mar. 9, 1906. 

5. Roxy Ann, b. Feb. 2J, 1827 ; died June 30, 1842. 

6. Harriet Wight, b. Jan. 11, 1829; married Nov. 8, 

1849, Tristram Noyes of Harrison ; she died Oct. 
10, 1887 ; they had children : Althea, b. Nov. 14, 
1851 ; married Jesse Howe of West Paris; one 
daughter, Ethel May. Elizabeth Jane, b. Sept. 6, 
1853 ; died Feb. 24, 1868. Henry Walker, b. Apr. 
10, 1857 : died Aug. 20, 1859. William Henry, b. 
Apr. 28, i860 ; married Harriet C. Pike of Harrison ; 
they had one son, Alton L., b. Oct. 9, 1891 ; resides 
in Harrison. Mr. Noyes married 2d, Sarah E. Dan- 
iels of Paris, Me. Ella Nora, b. May 27, 1863 ; 
died Apr. 17, 1867. Alice Gertrude, b. Mar. 15, 
1869 ; married Lyndon J. Brackett of Harrison, 
Jan. I, 1903; one child: Robert Noyes, b. Nov. 5, 
1903. 

7. Elbridge O., b. Oct. 4, 1830; married Mary Hunt of 

Avon. Me. They had four children: Carrie, Har- 
riet, Cora, Elbridge Ardon. They reside in Dover, 
Minn. Harriet married Alwyn Dale of Dover ; they 
have two daughters : Mary and Ethelwyn. 

8. Betsy Walker, b. May 20, 1833 ; married O'Neil 

R. Mills, b. June 2, 1827, of Mason, Me. He set- 
tled in Harrison and had children : Alfred R., b. 
Nov. I, 1854; died unmarried. Dec. 23, 1878. Hat- 
tie M., b. May i, 1858; married Stephen W. Gam- 
mon of Peru, Me., Nov. 14, 1883; died , 1890. 

James Mason, b. Sept. 16, 1861 ; married May 7, 
1887, May Proctor of Bridgton ; died Sept. 16, 1892; 
they had two sons. Minnie B., b. Aug. 19, 1864; died 
July 28, 1865. Laforest N., b. July 25, 1866; mar- 
ried Ann Cooley of Norridgewock, Me ; died , 

1891 ; they had one child, Neil, b. May ■ — , 1891 ; 
lives at So. Norridgewock, Me. Walker B., b. Dec. 
4, 1869; married Feb. 15, 1891, Bertha A., daughter 
of Cyrus and Angeline (Green) Haskell of Harri- 
son ; children: Grace Mildred, b. Nov. 15, 1891. 
Elmer Haskell, b. May 19, 1894. Chester Alfred, 
b. July 17, 1896: died Jan. 2. 1897. Norman O'Neil, 
b. Feb. 15, 1900. Lelia Gertrude, b. July 9, 1902. 



370 A HISTORY OF THE 

O'Neil R. Mills died in Harrison, Mar. , 1881. 

Betsy W. Mills died in Harrison, , 1884. 

9. Charles Henry, b. Feb. 24, 1836 ; died in California 
in 1904. Had children: Lizzie, Eva, Clarence, 
Charles. 
10. Sophronia Spurr, b. May 23, 1840; married ist, 
Robert S. Lamb ; had a son, Hazen P. ; married 2d, 
George Shedd of Norway, Me. ; children : Nina 
N., Alton. 

John, Jr., b. June 2, 1804, in Falmouth (now Westbrook), 
came to Harrison with his father at seven years of age ; 
married Jan. 13, 1828, Martha Ann Lowell, (b. Mar. 3, 
1800), daughter of Edward and Martha (Lamb) Lowell 
of Harrison. They had children : 

1. Amos, b. Dec. 15, 1838. 

Mrs. Martha Ann Brackett died June 29, 1841. Mr. 
Brackett married 2d, April 25, 1842, Rebecca L. Sanborn, 
born November 23, 1825. Their children were: 

2. Martha Ann, b. Mar. 26, 1843; died Oct. 6, 1848. 

3. Horace Nelson, b. Aug. i, 1844. He served as a 
member of Co. H., 17th Regt. Me. Vol. Inf., in the 
Civil War, and was wounded in the leg in the 
Battle of the Wilderness, in consequence of which 
he suffered several amputations. He settled in North 
Abington, Mass., where he was engaged in business 
until his death in . He married Josephine Ar- 
nold of North Abington and had children : Leonard 
and Doris. 

4. William Merrill, b. Aug. 24, 1846; married Hattie 
Wardwell of Harrison, b. in 1848. daughter of Amos 
and Julia (Scribner) Wardwell. They reside in 
Oxford, Me. 

5. Llewellyn Kendall, b. June 21, 1847; served as a pri- 
vate in Co. L, I2th Me. Regt. Vol. 

6. George Waterhouse, b. Aug. 14, 1848; died Sept. 
12, 1848. 

Mrs. Rebecca L. Brackett died Jan. 18, 1854. Mr. Brack- 
ette married 3d, February 12, 1856, Mary Maria (born May 
22, 1829), daughter of John and Lydia (Huston) Stevens 
of Windham, Maine. Their children : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 371 

7. Aroline Emma, b. June 30, 1859 ; married Jan. 20, 
1879, William O. Emmons of Kennebunk, Me. He 
is a blacl^smith and carpenter. They have resided 
in Harrison, Portland, Lynn, Mass., and Greenwood, 
Me. Children: Maude Elena, b. Sept. 6, 1880; 
married Jan. 31, 1897, Ross D. Coburn of Green- 
wood : children : Elsie Elena, b. Oct. 12, 1898. Win- 
nifred Mildred, b. Apr. 12, 1900; died June 18, 
1900. Beatrice Elmena. b. May 6, 1881. Mildred 
Frances, b. May 15, 1883; married June 18, 1899, 
Allen E. Cole of Greenwood: children: Hazel Inez, 
b. June 16, 1900. Bertha Mildred, b. Mar. 9, 1902. 
Llewellyn Brackett, b. May 28, 1889. Hugh Fes- 
sington, b. Dec. 7, 1897; died Dec. 11, 1897. 

Chapman, b. in Falmouth, Aug. 21, 1808: was reared in 
Harrison; married Dec. 9, 1831, Amanda, daughter of 
Virgil and Ann (Wiseman) Wight of Raymond, Me. 
He was a farmer. He lived a number of years in Bridg- 
ton ; thence moved to Mason ; thence to Casco. Mrs. 
Amanda Brackett died Sept. 3. 1866. Chapman Brack- 
ett died Apr. 20, 1881. Children: 

1. Joel W., b. Dec. 27, 1832. 

2. CjTus H., b. Oct. 15, 1834; died Mar. 12, 1835. 

3. Elizabeth Jane, b. May 30, 1837 : married Bartlett 
Coughlan ; resides in Portland, Me. Children : May 
S. John F. John C. Thomas C. 

4. Mary Ann, b. Oct. 5, 1843; married Geo. R. Han- 
son of South Windham, Me. Children : George A. 
Joseph E. 

5. Charles C, b. Dec. 22, 1847 ; married Elizabeth Boyd 
of Portland ; children : Albert C. : a soldier in the 
U. S. Army in Cuba. Bessie ; married Clififord 
Frost of Norway. Everett E. 



BRAY FAMILY. 

Among the first settlers of Harrison was NICHOLAS 
BRAY, born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in March, 1752. 
Before his advent in Harrison, then Otisfield, he lived in 



372 A HISTORY OF THE 

Cape Elizabeth and in Minot, from whence he came to 
this town. He was a neighbor of the Caswell family be- 
fore he came here. 

Solomon, oldest son of Nicholas, b. in Minot, about 1774, 
came to Otisfield as early as 1800, and settled on the farm, 
afterwards owned many years by Shepherd Hawkes, 
known also as the "Trafton place" adjoining the original 
homestead of Oliver Peirce, Esq. He removed to Mon- 
son. Me., where his family of thirteen children were 
raised and married: only one, Mrs. Hannah (Bray) 
Harmon, wife of W'alter P. Harmon, ever being identi- 
fied with Harrison in later years. 

Nicholas Bray was a soldier in the War of the Revolu- 
tion for seven years, and endured great suffering from 
engagements in battle and from exposure and privations 
incident to a state of war. He died in Harrison, February 
5, 1843, and was buried in the cemetery adjoining his farm, 
near the old Free Baptist Church. 

Edward, second son of Nicholas, was born in Minot, July 6, 
1792. He married Susanna Hobbs, daughter of ]\Iorrill 
Hobbs, Sr., and settled on the homestead of his father. 
He was a soldier of the War of 181 2. Mr. Bray early 
embraced religion and united with the Free Will Baptist 
Church at its organization. He was chosen deacon, and 
was associated many years with those other first deacons. 
Seth Carsley and Charles Walker. He had a high char- 
acter for integrity in his business relations and for sin- 
cere piety and goodness as a Christian professor. He was 
a believer in spiritual freedom of worship, and was ac- 
customed to exhort his brethren and sisters after the 
Sunday sermon was concluded. At such times he would 
often be so afifected by his emotions that he would shout 
for joy. He was once, by some unpleasant relations with 
a neighbor, feeling resentment which made him quite 
unhappy. On such an occasion, he deemed it a solemn 
duty to confess to the church the state of his feelings. 
On the next Sunday after the regular exercises of wor- 
ship were finished, he arose in his pew and after a little 
hesitation, with a sad expression of countenance, he, in 
a tone of voice tremulous with emotion, said : "Brethren, 
I've got hardness! I've got hardness!! I've got hard- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 373 

ness!!!'" uttering the expression with increasing force; 
the last time with a shout to the extent of his power. 
That was all he said and he sat down with the tears 
streaming, while the congregation were electrified and 
many weeping for sympathy. 

Deacon Bray was one of the prime factors in the move- 
ment for the erection of the first Free Will Baptist meeting- 
house in 1836, and was a contractor for quite a portion 
of the work of building. He died September 26, 1865. 
His widow died March 28. 1866. Their children were : 

1. Miriam, b. ]\Iay 2~. 1815: married Simeon Chad- 

bourne of Harrison. (See Chadboume family.) 

2. Charlotte H., b. May 2. 1817 ; married William C. 

Hill of Harrison. They were the parents of Dr. 
Edward Henry Hill. b. May 7, 1844, a distinguished 
physician of Lewiston, Me., for many years, who 
died in that city, July 17, 1904: also of Dr. Horace 
B. Hill, who was assistant superintendent of the 
State Hospital for the Insane, many years. Mrs. 
Hill died June 12. 1866. Mr. Hill, a fife-long and 
much respected citizen, died ^lar. 27, 1895, aged 78 
years. 

3. Susan, b. Apr. 17, 1819 : married Samuel W. Chad- 
bourne of Harrison. They resided in a house erected 
by Mr. Chadbourne, many years, until their migra- 
tion to Wisconsin in . The house is now owned 

as the home of Albert F. Cummings. Samuel and 
Susan Chadbourne had one son, Cyrus, who lives at 
Fond du Lac, Wis. Mrs. Chadbourne was a woman of 
gentle and refined character, a sweet singer : for 
many years a member of the Free Baptist Church, 
and a faithful and efficient member of the choir. 

4. Ann, b. June 2, 1824; died Sept. 13, 1825. 

5. Sarah Ann, b. Aug. 2, 1827; died July 13, 1828. 

6. Edward, Jr., b. Dec 21, 1830: married Abby Bartlett 

of Harrison (b. Feb. 21, 1830) ; died June 14, 1898. 
Their children: Nellie Grace, b. Aug. 26, 1861. She 
was early noted for her love of learning and for 
her proficiency in all the common branches of school 
study. She prepared for college at Bridgton Acad- 



374 A HISTORY OF THE 

emy, graduating class of 1881. She was afterward 
(1882 to 1887) preceptress and teacher of Greek at 
that institution a number of years before entering 
college. She graduated from Bates College, Lew- 
iston, in class of 1891. Soon after her graduation, 
she was married to Fremont L. Pugsley, principal 
of Henniker, N. H. High School. He was after- 
ward principal of the Lyndon, Vt., Institute. In this 
educational work Mrs. Pugsley assisted her husband 
as teacher of Greek. They had one son, Howard 
Bray Pugsley, b. June 7, 1896; died April 15, 1897. 
Flora Delle, b. June 14, 1864. She was equally 
distinguished with her sister for her fine scholar- 
ship during all her student years. She graduated 
from Bridgton Academy in 1884. She was married 
Jan. 14, 189 1 to Dr. Charles B. Sylvester of Casco. 
Their children: Ruth Bartlett, b. May 8, 1892. 
Lawrence Bray, b. July 13, 1893. Mrs. Flora (Bray) 
Sylvester died June 3, 1895. Dr. Sylvester sub- 
sequently married Mary Florence Whitney. (See 
Whitney family. ) 

EDWARD BRAY, JR.. was in early life a farmer, and 
for years was successful in that business. He eventually 
learned the painting trade, and established a shop for car- 
riage painting at Harrison Village, at the same time doing 
a large business in house painting and room decoration. 
He was an excellent workman in everything he undertook 
to do. He also adopted the business of funeral under- 
taker, and had in connection with his shop, a store of 
goods which he managed under the auspices of the Lake- 
side Grange, P. of H. He was elected a deacon of the 
Free Baptist Church of which he was long an honored 
member, and was distinguished for his faithfulness in that 
sacred office. He was a member of the order of F. & A. 
Masons and of Odd Fellows, and was much esteemed by 
those brotherhoods. As a man and citizen he was a pat- 
tern of kindness and honesty in every relation of life, and 
had the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 375 

died December 14, 1898. Mrs. Abby (Bartlett) Bray died 
June 14, 1898. 

NICHOLAS, third son of Nicholas, the pioneer, was 
born in Minot, Maine, in 1794; married Abigail Buck- 
nell and lived in Harrison a number of years ; he subse- 
quently moved to Whitefield, New Hampshire, and labored 
as a Baptist minister. His children were: Moses, So- 
phronia, Ruth, Christiana, Lucy, Abigail, Drusilla, Sarah, 
Martha, and Samuel. 

The five children of Nicholas ist, were all daughters, 
viz. : Polly, who married Obed Mann of Whitefield, New 
Hampshire. Fidelia, married Philip Caswell of Harrison 
(see Caswell family). Anna, married Evans Wilson of 
, Maine, September 9, 1819 ; a daughter who mar- 
ried Asa Bradford of Turner, Maine, and another who 
married Whitney of Phillips, Maine. 

The absence of any reliable information concerning the 
details of the families of these five daughters (excepting 
the family of Philip Caswell), renders further history of 
them and their families impossible. This once numerous 
and locally distinguished family has now no representative 
of its name in the town and only a few somewhat remotely 
descended from the worthy old Revolutionary soldier, Nich- 
olas Bray. 



BRIGGS FAMILY-. 

WILLIAM H. BRIGGS was born in Norway, July 29, 
1847. He married Pamelia C. Yeaton of Buckfield (born 
Dec. 14, 185 1 ) in Oxford, Oct. 6, 1868. Children: 

Cora Eva, b. in South Paris, July 3, 1869 ; resides in Port- 
land ; unmarried. 



Z7^ A HISTORY OF THE 

Effie May, b. Oct. 20, 1873 ; married Stephen Pembroke 
of Bridgton. Children : 

1. Gracie, b. Mar. 22, 1898, in Mexico, Me. 

2. William Irving, and Winifred Irene, twins, b. in 

Harrison, May 30, 1899. 

3. Roberta Dorothea, b. May 6, 1903, in North Bridg- 
ton. 

4. Coralie, b. in Bridgton, July 15, 1905. 

Evelyn, b. May 12, 1876, in Yarmouth, Me. 

Grace Maria, b. in Portland, Jan. 19, 1878 ; married John 
H. Procter, of Bridgton, Apr. 25, 1900. Mr. Procter 
is a son of Horace F. Procter of Bridgton, noted as one 
of the most skilled mechanics in the State in the trade 
of carpenter and builder for about thirty years past, with 
whom John H., the son, has been in late years associated. 
Together they have executed some of the largest con- 
tracts for the erection of dwelling houses and other 
buildings in the county outside of Portland. They were 
the builders of the new Odd Fellows Hall and other 
buildings in Harrison Village, and the stately mansion 
and outbuildings of J. Howard Randall of South Har- 
rison, the most elegant and costly group of home build- 
ings in the town or near vicinity. Horace F. and John 
H. Procter have the present year removed from North 
Bridgton to Avon, Franklin Co., Me., to engage in a 
large enterprise of lumber manufacturing where they 
own extensive tracts of timber land and mills. John H. 
Procter represented Cumberland County in the State Sen- 
ate in 1906-7. 

William H. Briggs came to Harrison from Portland in 
1883, and purchased the farm known as the "Deacon Walk- 
er" farm, where he has since resided. He is distinguished 
for his energy and intelligence as a farmer and is successful 
in general culture of his land ; also in apple growing and 
small fruit culture. His home is one of the most beautiful 
in situation and in respect to its adornment by a wide lawn 
and flower -plats which rightly entitle it to be named "Floral 
Lawn Farm." Mr. Briggs is also noted for his public 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 377 

spirit and liberality in advancing all enterprises for promot- 
ing the welfare of religion, education and social morality. 
He represented his district in the legislature of 1901 ; was 
chairman of the committee on the Centennial Celebration 
of 1905, and Chairman of the building committee on the 
erection of Odd Fellows Block in 1907. He is a leading 
and influential member of Lakeside Grange, P. of H. Mrs. 
Briggs is equally distinguished with her husband for her 
interest in affairs of religious and social advancement. 



BUCK FAAHLY. 

HENRY L. BUCK was born in Norway, July 21, 1810, 
but we have been unable to obtain anything in regard to 
the early history of the family from which he sprung. 
When about twenty-one years of age he came to Harrison, 
and bought what was then known as the "Clement Phin- 
ney Farm" in the south part of the town, it being the same 
farm that is now owned and occupied by Adelbert C. Buck. 
After remaining there for a short time he went South where 
he remained for about five years, being located in Georgia, 
we think. After his return he followed the sea for a 
short time, and also navigated the old "Cumberland and 
Oxford Canal" route in a "canal-boat" known as "The 
Boxer." While on the canal he was a leading spirit among 
the boatmen, and every one expected fun when Buck's boat, 
— the old "Boxer" — would heave in sight. It was often 
said that one could "hear Buck laugh a mile away," and he 
had a trick of making his presence known in the night by 
crowing, which he could do so well that it would shame any 
common rooster. His friends never mistook that signal. 

He next returned to his Harrison farm upon which he 
went to work in earnest, the same as he worked at every- 
thing. He made additions to his house, and also bought 



378 A HISTORY OF THE 

more land, including timber lands in Harrison, Otisfield, 
and Stoneham, which appear to have been good investments. 
He was a great worker, laboring incessantly, early and late, 
and expected others to do likewise, having very little sym- 
pathy with an idle person. He was a man of iron con- 
stitution, energetic and persevering, daylight not always 
being a necessary accompaniment to his work. 

He was an old time fifer of militia days, was fond of all 
kinds of legitimate fun, had a keen appreciation of the 
humorous, and was a great joker, sometimes going so far 
with this that the victim would take genuine offense. Mr. 
Buck, however, was not one of this kind, for he would 
take any kind of a well meant joke in good humor, and 
it was all the same to him if he was the last victim, 
though this seldom happened. He was of a lively dis- 
position, jolly and social, and the best of company, keep- 
ing open house to all friends. In politics he was an un- 
swerving Democrat, and could always be relied upon to 
cast his vote for the "straight ticket" at all State and 
National elections, though his interest in politics seldom 
went beyond this, and he usually spent but little time in 
learning much about the qualifications of the candidates. 
He preferred to let others do all the work and receive all 
the rewards, while he was engaged in more congenial 
occupations. In his early days he had no special religious 
preferences, but later in life he became a member of the 
South Harrison Methodist Church, and contributed lib- 
erally towards its support. 

On October 20, 1843, he married Ruth A., youngest 
daughter of Stevens and Rebecca (Kilborn) Ingalls, who 
is still living at home with her son Adelbert, and, with the 
exception of lameness caused by a fall some years ago, 
is remarkably well preserved for a woman of her age. She 
has an education so that she was a very successful school 
teacher before her marriage, and is intelligent above the 
average. On almost everything relating to the past his- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 379 

tory of the town or its inhabitants she is well posted, show- 
ing a most remarkable memory, and has rendered the 
writer much valuable assistance in preparing some por- 
tions of this work. 

Henry L. Buck died at his home, September 21, 1893, 
after a long period of ill health. His children, all born in 
Harrison, were as follows : 

H. OviLLA, b. Feb. 25, 1845; married Albion Kjiight 
of Raymond, and is living in that town. She has one 
daughter. 

George H., b. Jan. 11, 1847; adopted the law as a pro- 
fession, and moved to California, where he is now a 
judge ; is married. 

Charles A., b. March 3, 1848; was educated in the com- 
mon schools, and at Bridgton Academy ; went to Boston 
when young, and secured a position, but soon gave it up 
and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where a better opening 
was presented. He at once entered the employ of a 
railroad company, and was so faithful to his trust that 
he speedily secured the confidence of his employers, and 
was soon promoted to the position of conductor on one 
of the great Western railroads. Shortly after this he 
was taken sick, and after a short illness he died on Jan. 
31, 1872, aged about 24. He was a very promising 
young man, and made friends wherever he went. The 
following from one who knew him well, was a well 
deserved tribute: "The death of this estimable young 
man deserves more than a passing notice. No young 
man ever made a more favorable impression by his 
intelligent, honest, and manly deportment. He had an 
aim and object in life, which carried its influence for 
good wherever he went." 

Rebecca F., b. Sept. 18, 1850; married Oscar E. Bell of 
Waterford, Me., and moved to Egan, So. Dakota, where 
they took up their residence, Mr. Bell entering into farm- 
ing on quite an extensive scale. Mrs. Bell was taken 
sick, and for many years was almost helpless from "slow 
paralysis," dying Dec. 10, 1889, at the age of 39 years, 
leaving her husband and three children, who are still 
living in Dakota. 



380 A HISTORY OF THE 

Lizzie F., b. March 2, 1853; was a successful teacher for 
some years ; married George H. Greene of Otisfield, and 
hved on the Greene homestead in that town for many 
years, and then moved to the "Clem Riggs Farm" near 
North Bridgton, where they now reside. Her husband 
has taught several successful terms of common school, 
has served repeatedly on the School Board in Otisfield, 
and also on the Board of Selectmen ; was Representa- 
tive to the Legislature in 1887, being elected as a Re- 
publican over Sumner H. Wardwell, Democrat, from the 
classed towns of Harrison, Otisfield, and Casco, and 
running ahead of his ticket. He is a member of the 
Board of Trustees of Bridgton Academy, an institution 
in which he takes much interest. Mr. and Mrs. Greene 
are valued members of Lakeside Grange, both being 
persons of exceptional ability. They have had five chil- 
dren, Bertha, Philip, Charles, Howard, and Helen. Ber- 
tha married A. P. Clark of Bridgton, where she now 
resides; Philip was the victim of a sad drowning ac- 
cident in Massachusetts, during the past summer ; Charles 
is attending Bowdoin College ; and the other two are at 
home attending school at Bridgton Academy. 

Adelbert C, b. July 17, 1855 ; married Alice Dorman of 
Bolster's Mills, and lives at home. 

Howard M., b. Nov. 7, 1857; was educateed in common 
schools, and Bridgton Academy, and has taught school 
in Maine, and in the West. He first went to New York, 
and worked a year for a lumber firm, then emigrated to 
the West, making his home in Egan, So. Dakota, where 
he has been a farmer, teacher, trader, and hotel keeper, 
and is reputed to have been successful in business. He 
has also been to the Klondike, going when the excite- 
ment was at its height, and spending about two years, 
and while there he became quite an "Arctic Explorer," 
staying for a time in the region to the north of the Arc- 
tic Circle. His trip was said to have been a success, 
and he is now back in his Dakota home. Judging from 
the notices that he receives from the home papers, he is 
one of the leading men in Egan. He is married, and 
has three children, Harold, Henry, and Ruth. 

G. Norman, b. July 13, 1861 ; died in Lordsburg, N. M., 
June 23, 1887. 




JriiGE Georce H. Buck 
Redwooli City, Cal. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 381 

GEORGE H. BUCK, oldest son of Henry L. and Ruth 
A. (Ingalls) Buck, was born in Harrison, January ii, 
1847, and received his early education in the common 
schools, and in Bridgton Academy which he attended while 
under the charge of Charles E. Hilton, and of John B. 
Wight. While at the Academy he showed himself to be 
an ambitious student of good ability, who was bound to 
succeed in whatever he undertook, even if it was at the 
expense of considerable sacrifice. There was at one time 
quite a contest among the students of the Academy to 
see who would run "around the square" the quickest. 
There were others who were more robust than young 
Buck, but he won the race by sheer pluck and perse- 
verance, but it was at the expense of a severe sickness, he 
having, in his great desire to win, continued the contest 
far beyond his strength. It was the same with his studies, 
and he always ranked high in all of them. 

He early determined on the law as his chosen profession, 
and shaped his course accordingly, but was obliged to 
make his way largely by his own efforts, thus making his 
progress rather slow, as he had to teach school to get the 
money to pay his way. In his teaching he showed the same 
energy as in everything else, and was unusually successful, 
teaching several terms in Harrison, Otisfield, and other 
towns. He studied law to some extent as soon as possible, 
and as early as he could do so opened an office at North 
Windham, where he was located for a short time. Wish- 
ing to be better prepared for the life that he had chosen, 
he closed up his office and went to Boston, where he 
entered the law office of Woodbury & Ingalls as a law 
student. He completed his studies there so that he passed 
the necessary examination, and was admitted to the Mas- 
sachusetts bar in 1871. 

Shortly after he went West, and secured a position as 
an associate attorney for the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & 
Lafayette Railroad, a position which some who were jealous 



382 A HISTORY OF THE 

of his success alluded to as "cattle lawyer," on account of 
a part of his business being the settlement of claims against 
the roads, among which was the payment for cattle ac- 
cidentally killed. He held the position till 1874, to the 
complete satisfaction of his employers, but had a desire 
to go higher and resigned in that year. Seeing what he 
believed to be a more promising opening, he went to 
Redwood City, California, where he began to practice law, 
and by strict integrity and close attention to business he 
was so successful that he was elected to the position of 
District Attorney in 1882, and he held that office until 
1890, when the people asked him to "step up higher," and 
accept the position of Judge of the Superior Court for 
San Mateo County, and he still holds the position, having 
been regularly reelected up to the present time. 

One of the California papers, published in San Mateo 
County, speaks of Judge Buck thus : "He is one of the 
brightest, straightest, cleanest judges on the bench in Cal- 
ifornia. He is a Democrat where Democrats go regularly 
to defeat, but he comes up smiling election after election, 
in a county which is overwhelmingly Republican. On the 
bench he is 'Judge,' not Democrat or Republican — a judge 
that does things." He has the reputation of being strictly 
non-partisan while on the bench, and of rendering decisions 
that are entirely impartial, a reputation that his continued 
success at the polls seems to prove true. 

His first wife was a Miss Lizzie King of California, who 
died on March 3, 1893, leaving one son who is now a 
young man in college. At the time of the death of Mrs. 
Buck, many flattering notices appeared in the home papers, 
and the funeral was largely attended, business being sus- 
pended to some extent so that the dignitaries might be 
enabled to show their respect for the deceased, and for her 
much respected husband whom all delight to honor. For 
second wife he married a Miss Lizzie Fitzpatrick, another 
California lady. They continue to reside in Redwood City, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 383 

which has been the home of Judge Buck for over thirty 
years. His property suffered to some extent in the Great 
Earthquake in 1906, but happily none of the family were 
injured. 

Only a few years ago, Judge Buck made a visit to his 
Maine home, remaining as long as he could absent himself 
from the duties of his office. Those who expected to see 
a man whom success had elevated above his fellows so 
that he thought that the associates of his youth were un- 
worthy of recognition, were grievously disappointed, as 
he made it a point to visit all who were living in the vicinity, 
and to show them that he was a whole-souled, genial man, 
whose long and successful career in the Far West had not 
caused him to forget the friends of his youth. Judge Buck 
is most certainly a notable example of the many "self 
made men" who have gone from our town, and risen to 
eminence through their own efforts. 

ADELBERT C. BUCK, third son of Henry L. and Ruth 
A. (Ingalls) Buck, is the only one of the family that is 
now a resident of Harrison. He preferred to cast his 
fortunes in his native town, choosing farming as his call- 
ing, and making the home farm his home, being the one 
that was selected to care for the parents. Like his father, 
he is a great worker, but he cares more for outside mat- 
ters, and does not confine himself so closely to the "drudg- 
ery" of farm work. He takes a lively interest in town 
affairs, and has served as a member of the Board of Se- 
lectmen. In 1894, he was the candidate of his party for 
Representative to the Legislature from the classed towns 
of Harrison, Otisfield, and Casco. He has for many years 
been a member of Harrison Lodge, L O. O. F., and has 
been honored with the highest office in its gift. He and 
his wife are both prominent members of Lakeside Grange. 

Mr. Buck is a successful farmer, and makes a specialty 
of orcharding, having a large number of young and pro- 
ductive trees, and also a larger number that have been set 



384 A HISTORY OF THE 

SO recently that they have not yet come into bearing. He 
is also the owner of valuable timber land, and has lately 
disposed of quite an amount of standing growth. He has 
to a great extent remodelled the , farm buildings as they 
came to him from his father. The old rambling struct- 
ure of a barn, situated "across the road" from the house, 
has become a thing of the past, and in its stead he has 
built one on a modern plan on the same side of the road as 
the other buildings, and connected with them ; and the 
long, low farmhouse has given place to a two-storied, 
roomy structure more in accordance with modern require- 
ments. He is a man of progressive ideas, who keeps 
abreast of the times, and can be relied upon to give his 
support to all measures that are calculated for the ad- 
vancement of the town and its inhabitants, and especially 
in all matters relating to the education of the young, for 
which he always favors a liberal appropriation. 

Mr. Buck married Alice Dorman, daughter of Leander 
Dorman of Bolster's Mills, and they have given sufficient 
evidence that they are no believers in the "race suicide" 
theory, being the parents of ten children, as follows : 

Lucetta K., born November 28, 1882, a successful teach- 
er both in Maine and Massachusetts, and recently married 
to Clarence S. Hall of North Raymond, Massachusetts, 
where they are now living. Ruth M., born August 20, 1884, 
Willard Brett of Otisfield, where they reside ; George H., 
born October 18, 1886, a recent graduate from Bridgton 
Academy, an excellent teacher, and a very promising young 
man, who is now pursuing the regular course in Bowdoin 
College; Rena L., born September 15, 1888, another ex- 
cellent teacher, who is now at home ; Percy C, born De- 
cember II, 1890, who has just completed his second year 
in Bridgton Academy: Leland S., born April 6, 1893; A. 
Carl, bom June 11, 1895; Edward Earl, born September i, 
1897; Howard R., born October 16, 1898; and Mary E., 
born January 19, 1903 ; all at home, excepting Edward 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 385 

Earl who has recently died, February 3, 1908, being the 
only one not alive of this family, which is somewhat remark- 
able for these times. 



NORMAN BUCK, youngest son of Henry L. and Ruth 
A. (Ingalls) Buck, was born in Harrison, July 13, 1861, 
and was christened Granville Norman, but saw fit to drop 
the first name, and was known after his boyhood as Nor- 
man Buck. He received the usual common school edu- 
cation of the average country scholar, and made good use 
of it, showing in early life that he aspired to some profes- 
sion as a means of gaining a livelihood. He pursued the 
regular course through Bridgton Academy, and then, hav- 
ing decided to prepare himself for the law as a profession, 
he entered Ann Arbor University, from which he grad- 
uated in 1884, earning money to pay his way by means 
of canvassing and teaching. 

He returned to Harrison, and entered into the political 
campaign, being an outspoken Democrat. In the Repre- 
sentative District, composed of Harrison, Otisfield, and 
Casco, it was Harrison's turn to send the Representative, 
and Mr. Buck, at the earnest solicitation of his friends, 
determined to try for the nomination. He was a very 
promising young man, popular with the masses, and giv- 
ing evidence of becoming one of the leading men of the 
country in the future. It was at a time when Democratic 
caucuses were usually notable for the smallness of the 
attendance, but there was such an interest in the situation 
that year, that forty-three votes were registered at the cau- 
cus to nominate the candidate for Representative, and Nor- 
man Buck received forty-one out of that number. He at 
once entered into the campaign in earnest, but he was an 
unknown man, and without financial backing, while his 
opponent, Thomas D. Emery, was a thorough politician 
in touch with all of the managers of his party, was a pop- 



386 A HISTORY OF THE 

ular man with a certain class, and had a wide influence 
on account of his connection with a large manufacturing 
enterprise. Buck made an earnest fight, and his campaign 
was a clean one. He was an earnest and aggressive speaker, 
and held several meetings in the district, but the managers 
of the party did not give him the assistance that they 
should have done, evidently thinking it best to put their 
work elsewhere. The result showed that, although he was 
defeated by a small majority, he received every clean vote 
in his party and several from the other side. The Bridg- 
ton Neivs, an opposition paper, said of the result: "Al- 
though defeated by a small majority, it is no small compli- 
ment to Norman Buck, Esq., that he received the unan- 
imous nomination of his party, and so hearty a support. 
He was a strong candidate." 

He was ambitious to go into a new country and grow 
up with it, and decided to locate at Floresville, Texas, 
where he opened a law office, and soon gained a good 
practice, but was obliged to give it up on account of the 
climate not agreeing with him. He moved to Lordsburg, 
New Mexico, where he at once took high rank in the courts 
of New Mexico and Arizona, and was building up a large 
practice when his career was cut short by the bullet of the 
assassin. On June 23, 1887, after a residence of about 
a year and a half in Lordsburg, he was shot in the street 
by a shoemaker named Otter Johnson. Johnson had been 
a party in a lawsuit in which Buck was counsel on the suc- 
cessful side. After the close of the trial he and Johnson 
met, a few words passed between them, and as Buck 
passed along, Johnson drew a revolver and shot him in 
cold blood, he dying almost instantly. After his death 
the press was profuse in his praise, speaking of him as 
"a man of sterling worth, a gentleman, well bred, chiv- 
alrous, brave, kind, generous and honest. Quick to re- 
sent an injury, and would not give an inch if he thought 
that he was being imposed upon ; but would deprive him- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 387 

self of anything in order to assist a friend." It was 
a just and well merited tribute to as worthy a young 
man as ever went from Harrison. He was a clean, hon- 
orable, upright man, and one of most decided ability who 
would have arisen to eminence if he had not met such 
an untimely fate. 

He was unmarried, but was engaged to an estimable 
young lady at his place of residence, and would have 
soon been married to her if he had lived. On being noti- 
fied of his death, his brother in California at once went 
to Lordsburg and took charge of the remains, which were 
carried to California and interred, it not being deemed ad- 
visable to carry them to his home in Maine, at that season 
of the year. 

Surely thou wast full of promise. 
Was destined to be great ; 

But in thy morn of blooming 3'outh 
Thou wast cut down by fate. 

A niche in fame, reserved for thee, 
Is vacant — canst be filled, — 

For the assassin's deadly shot 
Thy youthful blood has spilled. 



BURNHAM FAMILY. 
The immediate ancestor of the two Burnham families 
who settled on the northerly side of Summit Hill (formerly 
known as Burnham Hill and Scribner's Hill) was REUBEN 
BURNHAM. The heads of these families were: Abra- 
ham, born in 1765; and Nathaniel, born December 22, 
1769 ; brothers, and natives of Bolton, Mass. 

ABRAHAM BURNHAM, married Alice Scribner of 
Waterboro, Maine. The homestead of Abraham was op- 



388 A HISTORY OF THE 

posite the old mansion of Nathaniel Burnham. He died 
January 24, 1850. Of their children, only those of Timothy 
are known or can be learned. Children : 

Reuben. 

Timothy, b. Dec. 12, 1802 ; married Catherine Dingley of 
Raymond. He was a farmer in Harrison on the farm 
settled by his father ; moved to Westbrook in 1850, thence 
to So. Windham, in 1858, and died there July 14, 1883. 
Mrs. Catherine Burnham died in So. Windham, Aug. 29, 
1890. Children : 

1. Ellen H., b. in Raymond, May 11, 1834; married 

Daniel Brown of So. Windham, Mar. 9, 1868, and 
resides in that village. Their children are: Alice E., 
b. Nov. 15, 1869; married Frank E. Hall, Jan. 18, 
1896. Lendall H., b. Nov. 30, 1873 ; married Ethel 
V. Boynton, Sept. 28, 1898; resides in North Ber- 
wick, Me. Mrs. Alice E. Hall and husband reside 
with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Brown, the parents, in 
South Windham. 

2. Albion Hall, b. in May, 1835. 

Hall Burnham, as he was familiarly known, was born 
in Raymond, Maine, but the family soon after removed to 
the old home of Abraham Burnham on Burnham Hill, Har- 
rison, where Hall grew to manhood. His introduction to 
the business which led in after years to an avenue of pros- 
perity and distinction in the world of commerce was as an 
apprentice in the modest tin-shop of Daniel Mayberry in 
Harrison Village about the years of 185 . He sub- 
sequently became connected with the corn packing industry 
through his employment in the extensive factories operating 
in Congin (Cumberland Mills), Westbrook, and at Pride's 
Bridge (Riverton Park), Deering, owned by John Winslow 
Jones. He soon became familiar with every department 
of that business. In 1865, Mr. Burnham settled in Bridgton 
as superintendent and general manager of the John Wins- 
low Jones corn canning factory. From that year as man- 
ager and proprietor. Mr. Burnham was at the head and 




Albion Hall Burnham 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 389 

front of the corn canning industry in Bridgton ; as a large 
stockholder and director in the Bridgton and Saco Valley 
Railroad Co., and as a promoter of the successful establish- 
ment of the Bridgton Hotel, the Water Company and other 
local enterprises. He was a liberal contributor to the sup- 
port of religion and the preaching of the Gospel. In poli- 
tics he was an ardent Republican. In 1886, he married 
Miss Mildred Johnson of Yarmouth, who survives him and 
resides in Bridgton. Mr. Burnham's death occurred on Jan- 
uary 7, 1902. 

Ai, third son of Abraham, b. June 21, 1807, married Polly 
Whitcomb of Waterford and lived at Bolster's Mills for 
several years before 1850. They afterward lived at Bar- 
row's (Scribner's) Mills, where he built a dwelling house. 
Their last years were spent at South Windham, in Gor- 
ham. They were universally esteemed by all who knew 
them for their Christian character, and many virtues. 
He died July 26, 188 1. 

NATHANIEL BURNHAM married, January 24, 1799, 
Abigail Scribner in Waterboro, Maine, born January 22, 
1778, a sister to Abraham's wife, and settled in Harrison on 
the farm owned and occupied by the family for more than 
fifty years : since become famous as the location of the 
Summit Spring, one of the most remarkable springs ever 
discovered in New England. Mr. Burnham built one of 
the first frame houses in town. He was a very industrious 
and prosperous farmer. He was a leading citizen, serving 
his town as selectman and town treasurer many years in 
succession from the date of its organization. He had seven 
children by his first wife. He died October 12, 1837. His 
first wife died November 25, 1819. His second wife, who 
was Nancy Marshall of Alfred, Maine, to whom he was 
married April 30, 1820, was the mother of two children. 
She died November 12, 1866. Children by first wife were: 

Bani. b. Nov. 12, 1799, married Eliza Haskell in 1820, set- 
tled on a farm adjoining that of his father and had seven 



390 A HISTORY OF THE 

children. He moved to Dwight, 111., about 1866, and died 
there May 4, 1874. He was a man of high character 
and was repeatedly elected to office and served his town 
with honor and ability. His children were : 

1. Jacob H., b. Dec. 10, 1820; married Martha, daugh- 
ter of Clement and Chloe (Ward well) Scribner of 
Harrison. To Jacob and Martha was born, Mary, 
b. •, who married Perry of Nor- 
way, and resides near Norway Lake. 

2. Elizabeth H., b. Dec. 10, 1823 ; died . 

3. Emeline H., b. Apr. 27, 1828; was a school teacher; 

married Frederick Lakin of Sebago, who migrated 
to Dwight, 111., and settled there, and was a prosper- 
ous farmer. She died Oct. 31, 1901, at Sandwich, 
111. 

4. Octavia D., b. Mar. 20, 1834; was a school teacher; 

went West with her father's family about 1866, and 
settled in Dwight, 111. ; she married J. M. Smith 
and resided in Bloomington, 111. ; they had a son, 
Fred, who is a druggist in Sandwich, in that State ; 
married and has one son. Mrs. Octavia (Burnham) 
Smith died in Dwight, 111., Oct. 10, 1880. 

5. Alvin, b. May 15, 1836; in 1855, he went to Illinois 
and settled near Leland, La Salle Co. ; he married in 
i860, Cynthia P. Morton, a former Maine girl ; since 
his marriage, he has lived at Leland, Ottawa and 
Dwight ; he now resides in Sandwich, 111. ; they had 
one daughter, Clara, b. in 1869; married Charles 
Arnold. Mrs. Cynthia P. Burnham died Oct. 22, 
1897. 

6. Sumner Marshall, b. Sept. 6, 1840; he was killed in 
battle at Hartwell, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1862 ; unmarried. 

7. John, b. Oct. 10, 1842; he enlisted in 1862 in Co. H., 

17th Regt., Me. Inf., and served honorably until his 
death by pneumonia; died in hospital Jan. 15, 1863. 

Levi, b. May 8, 1802; married June 3, 1824, Deborah C, 
daughter of Naphtali, and Mehitable Harmon, their last 
days being spent on the Ben Willard place, near the Floral 
Lawn farm of William H. Briggs. Their children were : 
I. Sally H., b. June 8, 1825 ; married Lorenzo D. Swan 
of Woodstock; died Aug. 20, 1850. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 39I 

2. Mahala J. A., b. Jan. 8, 1829; married John Thomp- 
son of Hartford. July 4, 1844. 

3. NaphtaH Harmon, b. Oct. 7, 1834; married Mar. 3, 

1857. Harriet N., daughter of Amasa and Martha 
Stedman of Harrison. They had two children : Lin- 
coln M., b. Oct. 15, 1858, in Harrison; married ist, 
Frances Augusta, daughter of James T. and Frances 
A. Jenner of Bridgton ; their children were: Edith 
Blanche, b. Oct. 8, 188 1 ; married, Dec. 25, 1907, in 
Harrison, Charles F. Bartlett of Rumford, Me. 
Agnes Minta, b. July 13, 1886; died Sept. 2, 1886. 
Mrs. Frances Burnham died July 2, 1888. Lincoln 
M. Burnham, married 2d, May 19, 1891, Mabel lola, 
daughter of Rev. Elias and Clarissa Foster of Bridg- 
ton ; children : Elsie Mabel, b. Oct. 20, 1892. Hazel 
Frances, b. Aug. 30, 1897. Marion Garden, b. Aug. 
17, 1902. Marjorie Harriet, b. Apr. 19, 1905. Bertie 
M., 2d child of N. H. and Harriet Burnham, b. July 
3, 1863; unmarried; resides with her mother in 
San ford. Me. 

4. Nathaniel L., b. May 9, 1839; died July i, 1852. 

5. Abbie M., b. Mar. 22, 1845, in Hartford, Me. ; mar- 
ried Seth M. Keene of Harrison, Jan. 21, 1871. They 
had two sons: John Thompson, b. Oct. 31, 1871, in 
Hartford; married Oct. 31, 189 1, in South Paris, 
Me., Florence Mabel (b. Feb. 10, 1875), daughter of 
Alison and Jane (Morse) Libby of Naples, Me., 
their children are: Helen Jane, b. Feb. 26, 1895, in 
Harrison. Harmon Burnham, b. Apr. 29, 1900. 
Audrey Hazel, b. Jan. 25, 1902, in Rumford, Me. 
Anna Farnham, b. Aug. 8, 1906, in Rumford. Er- 
nest. 2d, son of Seth M. and Abbie M. Keene, b. in 
Worcester, Mass. ; died Jan. 14, 1874, in Harrison. 
Mrs. Abbie M. Keene died in Harrison, Apr. 22, 1880. 

MosES, b. Mar. 21, 1804; married Lucretia, daughter of 
John Bucknell, Apr. 17, 1828, and settled near his father's 
residence. He had one son, Albert. Mr. Burnham died 
Aug. 4, 1834; his widow married Rev. David Jewell, a 

Baptist preacher ; they had one daughter, Lucia, b. 

-, who married Jonathan Hobbs Brackett of North 



Yarmouth, and resides there. (See Brackett family). 



392 A HISTORY OF THE 

John, b. Mar. 23, 1807; married Susan, daughter of Dea. 
Charles and Sally (Barbour) Walker of Harrison. They 
moved from Maine to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1835 ; moved 
thence to Sheffield, Pa., in 1838: returned to Jamestown 
in 1843, where and at Busti, N. Y., they continued to 
live until 1883, when they removed to Cameron, Mo. 
Their children were : 

I. Charles Nathaniel, b. in Jamestown, N. Y., May 11, 
1837 ; married Mary, daughter of Ahaz and Ann 
Carpenter of Busti. N. Y. Charles N. Burnham 
learned the art of printing in Jamestown, N. Y., be- 
fore the Civil War. He enlisted as a private, May 
7, 1861, at Warren, Pa., in the Pennsylvania Reserve 
Corps, Army of the Potomac, and served until June 
13, 1864, when his term of service expired. He was 
promoted to Corporal, Dec, 1861. He participated 
in the battles of Drainsville. Mechanicsville, Gaines' 
Mills, Newmarket cross-roads, Malvern Hill, Second 
Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and Freder- 
icksburg, where he was taken prisoner, Dec. 13, 1862; 
was confined in Libby Prison till Jan. 9, 1863, when 
he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md. After 
being exchanged he was detailed on special duty in 
hospital until his discharge from the service. Since 
the Civil War, Mr. Burnham has resided in Cam- 
eron, Mo., where he is proprietor of a flourishing 
printing business, and publisher of the Cameron Ob- 
server, a Republican weekly newspaper. His aged 
father and mother spent their last years in the home 
of their eldest son's family in Cameron. The chil- 
dren of Charles N. and Mary Burnham are : Netta 
and Nella, twin girls, b. Jan. 9, 1867, at Jamestown, 
N. Y. ; Netta married, June 23, 1892, Dr. Erwin E. 
Shaw of Cameron; they have one son, Burnham Ev- 
erett, b. Apr. 13, 1893. Nella married James F. 
Frazier, Sept. 2, 1896; they have one son: Finis 
Frazier, b. Jan. 26, 1899. 

2. John Henry, b. July 31, 1839; married, Feb. 4, 1864, 
Lucy, daughter of Peter Bennock of Jamestown, N. 
Y. ; he died in Busti, Sept. 15, 1870. Their chil- 
dren: Ellen May, b. Jan. 15, 1865. John Henry, 
b. June 22, 1869. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 393 

3. Andrew Murray, b. June lo, 1843 ; married Viola 
Davis, daughter of Franklin and Mary A. Davis. 
Andrew served as a soldier in the Civil War ; he 
died in Busti, N. Y., Mar. 31, 1899. 

4. Sumner Barbour, b. Oct. 13, 1844; married Esther 

Stockton. He was a printer by trade ; he died in 
Jamestown. N. Y., Nov. — , 1894. 

5. Sarah Maria, b. in Jamestown, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1847; 
married Clark S. Hazeltine, May 20, 1875 ; they re- 
sided in Kansas, and at Long Beach, Cal., many years. 
They removed to San Jacinto, Cal., in 1908, where 
she died Oct. 6, 1908. Their children are : Spencer 
G., b. Aug. 16, 1877. Arthur, b. Mar. 10, 1879. 
Rov J., b. Dec. 20, 1881. Herbert W., b. July 16, 
1883. L. E., b. Apr. 3, 1886. 

Sumner, b. Nov. 16, 1805 ; married Christina, daughter of 
Ephraim Washburn of Hebron, Me. Their children, all 
born in Harrison : 

1. Moses Greenleaf, b. Sept. 12, 1834; married Chris- 

tiana, daughter of Amasa and Martha (Washburn) 
Stedman of Harrison. Children: Annie C, married 
Edwin C. Rowe of Norway ; children : Lillian M., 
who married Webster Kilgore of Norway ; died in 

1888. Hattie ; also deceased. Moses G. Burnham 
died July 15, 1871 ; Christiana, his wife, died in 

1889, in Norway. 

2. Frances A., b. Mar. 20, 1836; married William Ev- 
ans of Portland, Dec. 4, 1856: children: Alice Isabel, 
a teacher in the Emerson Grammar school, Portland. 
Carrie Mabel; married Walter H. Field (now de- 
ceased). Harry, a cashier in the First National 
Bank of Lincoln, Neb. Philip Sumner, a milk deal- 
er in Portland. 

3. Otho Willard, b. Feb. 27, 1838 ; married Mabel Bates 
of Waterville, Me., in 1865. He was a member of 
the Bar in Maine and served as ist Lieut, in Co. — , 
17th Me. Vol. Inf., in the Civil War; he died Aug. 
19, 1868. 

4. Mary Caroline, b. Dec. 10, 1839 ; married Henry C. 

Roby of Harrison, Dec. 13, 1862; lived twenty-five 
years in Harrison and in Norway, until their re- 
moval to Lincoln, Neb., in 1887, where they reside. 



394 A HISTORY OF THE 

5. Sumner W., b. Apr. 22, 1842 ; died Apr. 3, 1844. 

6. Sumner W., b. Oct. 15, 1845, in Harrison; married 

Sarah Depp of Glasgow, Ky., June i, 1876. 

Sumner W. Burnham enlisted in 1862, in Company C, 
17th Maine Infantry, for three years, and served till close 
of the war. This regiment fought in seven battles and was 
at the surrender of Lee. At Chancellorsville, he was pre- 
sented with the Kearney medal of honor by Gen. Daniel 
E. Sickles, for meritorious service in that engagement. 
At Petersburg, he was promoted to be Second Lieutenant 
by recommendation of Gen. W. S. Hancock, for daring 
and dangerous work during that siege. After the war, he 
attended school for two years, then travelled for a New 
York firm through New England and the Middle States 
for three years, when he became partner and had charge 
of the business in the southern States for four years. 

After marriage, he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, and set- 
tled on a stock farm three miles from the city where for 
several years he engaged largely in stock raising. He 
is the founder of the town of Burnham, Nebraska, where 
is located the most extensive brick manufacturing industry 
in the Middle West, of which he is the principal owner. 

He served in the Legislature of Nebraska, from 1886 
to 1890. Two years in the House, and two years in 
Senate. In 1890, was chosen County Treasurer and served 
four years. In 1908, he was again chosen State Senator 
to represent the city of Lincoln. He has always been a 
staunch Republican, having voted for Abraham Lincoln 
while in the army in front of Petersburg in 1864, when 
only nineteen years of age. 

7. Silas Henry, b. Apr. 12, 1848, in Harrison ; married 

Eliza Lewis of Glasgow, Ky., Oct. 26, 1878; has 
four children, two sons and two daughters. His 
oldest daughter, Sarah W., married George W. 
Holmes of Lincoln, Mar. i, 1905. His first born 
son, Sumner, died in infancy. His oldest living 
son, Joseph Lewis, married Clara Watt of Carbon- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 395 

dale, Penn., Apr. 5, 1905. His second daughter, 
Carrie Loise, married Willard S. Yates of Lincoln, 
Neb., June 24, 1908. His youngest son, Silas Hen- 
ry, Jr., is a student preparing for college at St. 
Paul's School at Concord, N. H. 

Silas H. Burnham attended school at Hebron and North 
Bridgton Academies. Graduated from Dartmouth College, 
New Hampshire, class 1874. Practiced law in Norway, 
Maine, in partnership with H. M. Bearce till 1880, when he 
moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. He organized and was presi- 
dent of the First National Bank at Broken Bow, Nebraska. 
Also organized seven smaller State banks in country towns. 
In 1888, he organized the American Exchange National 
Bank at Lincoln, Nebraska, and was cashier for five years, 
then elected president. In 1893, the State National Bank 
was bought and merged into the American Exchange Na- 
tional Bank. In 1898, the First National Bank of Lincoln 
and the American Exchange were merged into one bank, 
called the First National Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska, with 
a capital of $400,000 ; surplus, $200,000 : deposits, $5,000,000, 
and he is president and chief manager. In 1906, he started 
the First Trust & Savings Bank of Lincoln, and is the 
president and his oldest son is cashier. 

He is, at this time, the only member from Nebraska of 
the Executive Council of the American Bankers' Asso- 
ciation, the largest financial organization in America, and 
is taking an active part in the effort being made for a 
general revision of our national currency. 

8. Alice S., b. Oct. 12, 1850: married Eugene F. Fuller 

of Oxford, Me., Nov., 1875, and moved to Lincoln, 
Neb., the following year : they had two children : 
Otho and Alice. Mr. Fuller and little Otho died 
in Lirjcoln, in 1879. Mrs. Alice Fuller died in Nor- 
way, Apr., 1887, leaving a daughter, Alice, who mar- 
ried H. P. Larr and lives in Lincoln, Neb. 

9. Horace A., b. Oct., 1852; married Lizzie Frost of 

Norway in 1873. He moved from Norway to Lin- 



396 A HISTORY OF THE 

coin. Neb., in 1877, and lived on a large farm, also 
dealt in cattle and horses. His wife died in Wester- 
ville, Neb., in 1889, leaving five sons, all grown to 
manhood and living in Neb. In 1891, he married 
Anna Noble of Westerville, Neb. He died of pneu- 
monia in Mar., 1903, leaving two daughters and a 
son by second wife. 

Nathaniel, b. in Harrison, Feb. 24, 1812; married Mary 
Mustard of Bowdoinham, Me., in 1819. Mrs. Mary 
Mustard Burnham died in Harrison in Feb., 1842. Na- 
thaniel Burnham married, 2d, Olive Sawyer, b. in Madi- 
son, Me., in Feb., 1824. Nathaniel Burnham died in 
Dwight, 111., Apr. 8, 1870; his widow married Franklin 
Hall and moved to Holdridge, Neb., where Mr. Hall 
died and Mrs. Hall is believed to reside there yet, if liv- 
ing. They had one son : 

I. Joseph Mustard, b. in Harrison, Apr. 21, 1840. He 
received his education in the public school of his 
district. The old schoolhouse has long since dis- 
appeared from its site on the western hillside, in the 
shade of the beechwoods, and only a big patch of 
primrose bushes remains to indicate the location 
of the old temple of knowledge, and revive the mem- 
ory of the departed school days. He went to Illi- 
nois in 1864, and settled in Dwight, where he still 
lives. He is reputed to be a prosperous farmer and 
large owner of landed property. He married Miss 
Jane Gray of Grundy Co., in Feb., 1867 ; she was b. 
in 1836, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to Grundy 
Co. in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have had five 
children : Nathaniel Franklin, b. Nov., 1867, died 
in infancy. John Sumner, b. Feb. 3, 1869, married 
Anna Chalmers (b. in Dwight, in 1874), in Feb., 
1894; to them have been born six children: Lillie 
May, Myrtle Jane, Roscoe Joseph, Gladys Marie, 
Alice Edythe, and Blanche Ethel. John Sumner 
Burnham lives on his farm at Piano, 111. Mary Ma- 
bel, b. in Dwight, Aug. — , 1871 ; she resides with 
her parents ; unmarried. Carrie Joseph, b. in Dwight, 
Jan. 20, 1873 ; married Richard Murray, b. in La 
Salle, 111., in 1870; they have no children; reside 
on a farm in Mazon, Grundy Co. Clarence E., b. 




Hon. Sumner Burnham 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 397 

in Dwight, Feb. 6, 1879 ; married Julia Deane of 
Joliet, 111., Aug. 14, 1904; she was born in Joliet, 
July 3, 1882. 

Abigail, b. July 7, 1818: married Benjamin F. Peirce of 
Harrison. (See Peirce family.) 

Sarah Ann, b. Apr. 12, 1826; married Rev. Silas B. Brack- 
ett of Harrison; they had 15 children, most of them boni 
in Maine; she died Apr. 18, 1889. (See Brackett fam- 
ily.) 

William Henry, b. Feb. 29, 1827 ; married Mary Max- 
well of . 

SUMNER BURNHAM was born November 16, 1805, in 
Harrison. He succeeded to the homestead and business of 
his father as a farmer. He was very active in business and 
in political affairs, serving his town in important civil sta- 
tions. He was elected on the board of selectmen in 1849, 
and 1850, was moderator of the annual town meeting in 185 (, 
and selectman the same year. He was on the board of select- 
men again in 1857, and 1858. Mr. Burnham was converted 
from a state of impenitence in the first of the great revivals 
of religion in the churches which occurred in 1839 and con- 
tinued for several subsequent years, during which many 
scores of members were added to the visible churches of the 
town and of other neighboring towns. Mr. Burnham joined 
the Baptist Church, which was the church of his parents, 
and to the time of his death his life was that of a devoted 
Christian. His sincere piety and humility of heart was 
manifest in his every day walk and conversation. The daily 
Bible lesson and the family altar were faithfully observed. 
He was a sincere friend of the Sunday-school, and contrib- 
uted liberally for its prosperity, as well as to the cause of 
Christian missions and all other institutions of the church. 

Mr. Burnham sold his beautiful homestead in 1861, to 
Francis H. Whitman of Norway, and removed to that town 
with his young family, settling on the farm purchased by 
exchange from Mr. Whitman. It is one of the best farms 



398 A HISTORY OF THE 

in Norway and is now owned by Mr. Benjamin Tucker. 
After a few years, Mr. Burnham removed to Norway Vil- 
lage and settled in a pleasant home on the main street, 
where he spent the remnant of his years. In the prime of 
his life, Mr. Burnham was for years, while living in his 
Harrison home, a Deputy Sheriff and Coroner for the 
County of Cumberland. He was distinguished for his rare 
courage and alertness in the detection of crimes, and his 
adventures in remote localities of the backwoods towns on 
pursuit of counterfeiters and horse thieves were startling 
and perilous. During the Civil War, he served the govern- 
ment as a secret detective for the detection and arrest of 
smugglers of contraband goods. In this office he rendered 
valuable services to the government. He died in Norway, 
June 22, 1878. 



CARSLEY FAMILY. 

This family may claim a historic pre-eminence over all 
other pioneer families — not surely for any real or fancied 
superiority of virtues or other merit ; but because the 
heads of the family, two of them, brothers, came from 
Gorham together, and as history records, they struck the 
first blows for the opening up of this territory to the in- 
fluences of civilizing progress. It is a brief, but very in- 
teresting story. 

First, we note the advent of John and Nathan Carsley — 
both born in Gorham — John, born August 19, 1766, and 
Nathan born April 9, 1768. It was a good old time for 
providing a sturdy stock of men and women to subdue 
the forbidding aspects of the wooded wilds of New Eng- 
land. Race suicide, as a cult, had not been yet suggested to 
the first comers from the old colony and from near places 
in the eastern district. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 399 

John Carsley married April i6, 1790, Martha Crockett 
of Gorham, and from the fact that he was the first one 
to spend the winter of 1792-3 on the chosen lot in the 
new settlement, he was entitled to the honor of being re- 
corded as the "first settler in Harrison." But little ac- 
count of his life in Harrison has been preserved in local 
history or in the tradition of that time. It is said some 
of his descendants were "supposed to be living in Eastern 
Maine." None of them are known to have remained here. 
And equally silent are local history and tradition concerning 
Martha, wife of John, the first settler. Did she come 
with her husband and live with him through that first 
winter? We can only guess that she did, and that she lived 
and died here, but there is no record. John Carsley died 
August 2, 1823, and was the first burial in the old Free 
Baptist cemetery. 

Nathan Carsley married in 1791, Susie, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth Cotton of Gorham, born April 17, 
1766. Together the brothers constructed the first camp. 
It was located a few rods to the south of the residence of 
George H. Cummings, on the west side of the road, nearly 
opposite the site of the dwelling house afterward built 
by Nathan, long known as the "Roby place." It was de- 
stroyed by fire a few years ago, and a new, modern dwell- 
ing occupies the site of the original structure, and is the 
home of William Smith. The first house erected by John 
Carsley was located on the east side of the road about half 
way between the residence of Mr. Cummings and that of 
James Thomes. This description of the locations of these 
first dwelling houses and the first camp of 1792, is given 
the writer by a lady now living, born in 1834, in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the spot made memorable by the resi- 
dence for many years, and long within her recollection 
of her grandfather, Nathan Carsley, after moving from 
his own home, in her father's family. 

Note. — Mrs. Susie (Cotton) Carsley lived one year without 
seeing one of her own sex. 



400 A HISTORY OF THE 

It is always interesting to read of the personal char- 
acteristics of eminent men and women, whose acts show 
the motives and designs by which they were impelled. Of 
such incidents attending the advent to our town of Nathan 
Carsley and his young wife, in the early spring of 1793, 
is the story, well authenticated, of the arduous, and in those 
days, decidedly perilous journey from Gorham to Otis- 
field, over the deep, untrodden snow, through the dense 
wilderness most of the way, of Mr. and Mrs. Carsley. 

It was in the month of March. Mr. Carsley was very 
anxious to be at the place where he and his brother John 
had built their camp in the previous autumn. There, John 
was waiting for his arrival. The season for tapping the 
sugar maple trees was at hand and the freezing nights 
afforded a good, strong crust on the surface of the snow. 
The situation is clearly apparent to any reader. It was 
a case of maple sugar in the new camp on Maple Ridge, 
and the transportation of a person who was to be also, 
an element of cheer and domestic sweetness in the solitude 
of that secluded rustic abode. The heroine of the occa- 
sion, in common with her ambitious husband, having lively 
expectations in the near future of one of the most inter- 
esting events of early married life, is imagined seated on 
a long, broad hand sled, well wrapped and protected from 
the cold winds of March, and being drawn over the path- 
less way by her intrepid husband. This is a story of a true 
happening, as has been, doubtless, many times related by 
the actors in the adventures of that historic journey. 

It had been announced by the proprietors of the township 
of Otisfield, that a lot of land in the plantation would be 
given as a prize to the parents of the first-born male child 
in the new settlement. That fact is said to have been the 
paramount inducement for undertaking the remarkable 
journey from Gorham, away thirty miles beyond Sebago 
Lake. By what route did they come? By the east shore 
of the lake through Windham and Raymond town, or by 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 4OI 

the west shore by way of Standish and Sebago woods? 
A Hvely imagination might see them crossing from the 
south shore during the hours of a bright March day on 
the ice-covered lake to the further shore of the long Ray- 
mond Cape. Who can tell ? 

But the long, weary journey is ended and we witness 
a new scene at the settlement. The first woman of the 
invading pioneer host is installed as mistress of the rude 
habitation of logs. It was not a very inviting place, we 
fancy. It was a case of many inconveniences and depriva- 
tions, and protracted trials of patience and pretty much all 
of the better human qualities. But the dove of peace and 
conjugal happiness had alighted there, and discontent 
would find no lodgement in the hearts of the devoted pio- 
neers; for hardly had they got well settled in their house- 
keeping in the little sheltering camp, than the stork, bird 
of happy omen, had nested there, and one day in the mid- 
dle of April, 1793, there was heard in that sequestered 
home, the cry of a child, a boy baby, a candidate for 
the honor of being the prize baby of the town. 

But it had been previously ordered that the prize lot 
of land should be awarded to a son of Mr. Benjamin 
Patch, and already the sunny rays of spring were bathing 
a sizeable opening on the southern slope of Otisfield Hill, 
the site of the location of the prize lot, and where has exist- 
ed for more than a hundred years, a beautiful homestead 
distinguished as the home of a gentle family, noted for 
their hospitality and many generous qualities. But we 
have not forgotten the happy scene of the joyful visitation 
on this side of the river, compared to which all other con- 
siderations were of little value. It was the first-born baby 
of the pioneer couple, and the first child born on the west 
side of the river, in only a few years thereafter to be 
an incorporated town. The birth of the first child of Nathan 
and Susie (Cotton) Carsley occurred April 14, 1793. It 
is recorded that Mr. Carsley and wife returned to Gorham, 



402 A HISTORY OF THE 



and remained there until after the birth of their second 
child. The name of the first child was William. The 
second son of Nathan was born in Gorham in 1796, and 
was named Seth. 

The lot of our first settlers was full of hard work and 
called for great exercise of self-denial. The bare neces- 
sities of life were scarce and hard to obtain. Mr. Carsley 
was compelled for years to carry his corn on his shoulders 
in a bag to Dr. Ray's grist mill at the outlet of Saturday 
Pond in Otisfield. at least four miles away. The growing 
crops were destroyed by the bears, coons, and other pred 
atory animals and birds. It was the general experience 
of the new settler. 

Of the ten children of JOHN CARSLEY, all born in 
Gorham, but five of them have ever lived in Harrison. 

Our genealogy begins with — 

WiLLi.\M, b. Apr. 14, 1793 ; married Esther, daughter of 
David Fogg of Gorham, b. Nov. 4, 1794. They were 
married July 2, 1823. Mr. Carsley settled on a lot near 
that of his father, the same homestead now owned and 
occupied by George P., son of the late David F. Cars- 
ley. In after years, when his father and mother became 
unable, by reason of age, to remain in their old first 
home, William built a comfortable cottage right near his 
own house, for the occupancy of the aged parents, and 
later still, when the old people needed very careful and 
tender attentions, they were removed to the residence 
of a grandson, where they ended their days. The chil- 
dren of William were: 

I. Nathan, b. Jan. 8, 1825 ; married Mary Elizabeth, 
daughter of Thomas Newcomb of Harrison. He 
was a farmer and carpenter, a kind hearted and 
public spirited man. They had one daughter, Lizzie 
May Newcomb, who married Forest H. Abbott in 
Water ford. (See Abbott family.) Nathan Cars- 
ley died Nov. i, 1886. Mrs. Elizabeth Carsley re- 
sides with her daughter, Mrs. Lizzie May Abbott, 
in Bridgton. 




William Cottox Carsley 




Mrs. Esther ( Fogg ) Carslev 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 4O3 

2. Bethia, b. Feb. 15, 1826; married Oct. 21, 1861, 

Andrew Chase of Lynn, Mass. 

3. William V., b. Sept. 12, 1827 ; married Augusta, 

daughter of Samuel Smith of Bridgton, b. Sept. 27, 
1834. He was a man of education and in early life 
was a school teacher. He served his town as su- 
perintending school committee and took much in- 
terest in public affairs. He was a very ingenious 
mechanic, and adopted the trade of carpenter and 
builder, in which he was very successful, being the 
builder of many of the best dwellings and other 
structures in the town and vicinity. Mr. Carsley 
died May 3, 1899. Mrs. Augusta Carsley died Dec. 
20, 1902. 

4. David F., b. Oct. 26, 1829 ; married Dorcas Ann, 

daughter of Jonas and Nancy Cummings of Harri- 
son, Oct. 16, 1868, and settled on the homestead farm 
of his father. Mrs. Carsley was born May 10, 183 1. 
Their children: Willis E., b. Feb. 28, 1867; married 
1st, Lida Belle, daughter of John C. and Laura (New- 
begin) Frost of Harrison, b. May 16, 1870; died 
Dec. 26, 1897. married 2d, Ida Louisa Phillips, 
Nov. 15, 1906. Children: Alice Esther, b. June 
3, 1907. Geraldine Dorcas, b. April 14, 1908. An- 
nie Louise, b. June 13, 1868; married James H. 
Wise of Mass., Apr. 28, 1897. George P., b. 
Sept. 23. 1869 ; married Mar. 24, 1897, Mabel Flor- 
ence Chandler of Harrison, b. Mar. 27, 1872 ; chil- 
dren: Lida Gertrude, b. Nov. 17. 1902. Infant, 
died Apr. 23, 1903. Ellis William, b. June 3, 1906. 

5. Mary Jane, b. Mar. 15, 1834; married Sept. 6, 1869, 

Peter Hodgdon of Gorham. They resided in Gor- 
ham a number of years and moved to Harrison 
Village in 1876 and lived there until the death of 
Mr. Hodgdon, which occurred July 2, 1891. Mrs. 
Hodgdon subsequently married for second husband, 
Seth Moore of Bridgton, Dec. 15, 1894, and resides 
in North Bridgton. 

Seth, second son of Nathan, b. in Gorham, Mar. 12, 1796; 
married Asenath, daughter of Thomas Cummings of 
Harrison, b. Mar. 23, 1803: married Oct. 15, 1822; died 
Sept. 14, 1825. Mr. Carsley married 2d, Polly Pitts of 



404 A HISTORY OF THE 

Harrison. They lived once in Harrison A'illage, where 
Mr. Carsley was a noted maker of old fashioned wooden 
plows, before cast iron plows were invented and generally 
known. He was an ingenious mechanic and invented 
a machine for making shoe lasts and hat blocks, and 
made a journey to Washington in a gig, to secure his 
patent, and returned home with his papers, bearing the 
autograph of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. 
(The document, bearing date of Apr. 2, 1830. is extant, 
and in the possession of Mr. Carsley's descendants.) 
Mr. Carsley emigrated to Deerfield, Warren Co., Pa., in 
1838, where he erected saw mills in that part of the 
country for other parties in the lumbering business. Mr. 
Carsley always displayed his ingenious faculties for over- 
coming serious difficulties in many cases, and is supposed 
to be the inventor of the first ferry boat to be propelled 
by an oblique current in crossing the Alleghany River, 
on the banks of which his home was located. He died 
in May, 1852, and was buried at Tidioute, Pa. He had 
children : 

1. Betsy, b. Jan. 3, 1823; married James G. Whitney 

(See Whitney family). 

2. Sybil Ann, b. Aug. 25, 1828; died young. 

3. Infant daughter, b. Jan. 29, 1830; deceased. 

4. David C, b. Mar. 20, 1832. 

5. Silas R., b. Feb. 20, 1836. 

6. Samuel H., b. Aug. 3, 1837. 

Betsy, b. Nov. 7, 1797; married Apr. 25, 1824, Morrill 
Hobbs, Jr., of Harrison. After Mr. Hobbs' death, July 
31, 1829, his widow married Almon Packard. She died 



Bethi.\, b. Oct. 25, 1802; married May 31, 1827, John 
Dawes of Harrison. She died Apr. 7, 1881. 

Benjamin Carsley, son of John, b. in Gorham, Sept. 23, 
1769, settled in Harrison and lived on the farm now 
owned by Henry Packard, in the old Johnson neighbor- 
hood. He was married twice : had one daughter, Har- 
riet, lived over 100 years, died in Old Ladies' Home 
in Portland ; another daughter, Mercy, also died in Port- 
land. He was a carpenter and rcnovi'ned for his physi- 
cal powers and endurance. He moved to Pownal, Me., 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 405 

where he raised a large family. His children were prom- 
inent citizens in Pownal and in other towns in Maine and 
elsewhere, but none of them ever had any extended resi- 
dence in Harrison. 

The Boston Post of November 19, 1908, records the 
death in Auburn. Maine, on November 18, of Ai L. Cars- 
ley, born in Harrison in 1818, son of Benjamin and Rebecca 
Carsley. He was a member of the North Pownal Method- 
ist Church. He is survived by a son, John W. Carsley of 
Farmington, and three daughters, Mrs. Soule, Mrs. Willis 
W. Skillin of Auburn, and Dr. Margaret (Carsley) Babab- 
anoff of Tacoma, Washington. 

Bethia. daughter of John, b. in Gorham, Feb. 6, 1772; 
died same year. 

Isaac, son of John, b. in Gorham, Feb. 17, 1773; married 
Jan. 18, 1797, Jennie Mosier of Gorham. He was a 
carpenter and builder, and resided in Harrison a short 
time and moved to the eastern part of the State. He 
had four children, most of whom married and settled 
in Farmington and vicinity. 

JosiAH. son of John, b. in Gorham, Oct. 7, 1774; no further 
information. 

Dorcas, daughter of John, b. in Gorham, Jan. 26, 1781 ; 
married . 

Dea. Seth, son of John, b. in Gorham, July 18, 1782 ; mar- 
ried Jan. 22, 1809, Susanna, daughter of Moses Whitney 
of Gorham, and settled in Harrison, then a part of Bridg- 
ton. He subsequently settled on the eastern or Otisfield 
side of the road and lived there all the rest of his life. 
It is the same homestead now owned by Charles Roberts. 
Deacon Carsley was one of the original members of the 
Free Will Baptist Church and as the first deacon with 
his noble coadjutors, deacons Bray and Walker, was in- 
strumental in building up a large and flourishing religious 
community of that denomination. He was greatly es- 
teemed and honored for his piety and firmness as a 
Christian citizen. His children were : 
I. Maria, b. Feb. 2, 1810; died July 29, 1839; unmar- 
ried. 



406 A HISTORY OF THE 

2. Susanna, b. Dec. ii, 1811; married June 13, 1833, 

Stephen Blake, and died Oct. 9, 1848. 

3. Edmund P., b. Mar. 25, 1815; lived at home; never 
married. He was, by trade, a brick mason and plas- 
terer, but worked mostly at farming. He died Feb. 
13, 1883. 

4. Nathan, b. Apr. 20, 18 17; married Elizabeth Whit- 
ney ; settled in town, working as a carpenter and 
farmer. He lived for years on the farm known as 
the Brackett Woodsum place ; now owned and oc- 
cupied by Maurice Lakin. They had three children: 
Emily A., b. July 16, 1843; died young. George F., 
b. Nov. 20, 1845 ; now living in Aroostook County. 
John E., b. Oct. 18, 1848 ; deceased. 

5. John, b. July 16, 1820; married in 1842, Adaline, 

daughter of Timothy Blake of Gorham. He died 
in Harrison, July 19, 1847, leaving one son, Charles 
B., b. Oct. 18, 1845 ; died Jan. 23, 1846. 

6. Mary Ann, b. Feb. 21, 1823; married Stephen Blake 

for 2d wife. She died Mar. 19, 1867. 

7. Richard Page, b. Apr. 13, 1823 ; married Oct. 7, 

1851, Caroline M. Hayes. He died in Newton, Mass., 
also his wife. Mr. Carsley was a carpenter. He 
had two children ; Edmund and Harriet ; the latter, 
the only living member of the family, now residing 
in Newton, Mass. 

Eunice, daughter of John, b. in Gorham, Apr. 30, 1784; 
married . 



CASWELL FAMILY. 
One of the first families to settle in Otisfield, west of 
Crooked River, was that of SIMEON CASWELL ; born in 
Taunton, Massachusetts, in March, 1763. He was a son of 
Stephen Caswell of Taunton. His wife was Rachel Staples, 
born in Taunton, August 16, 1766. They moved to Minot, 
Maine, and lived there several years, changing their resi- 
dence to Otisfield in 1800. They had four children 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 407 

when they came here, the other children being all born in 
Harrison. 

Mr. Caswell was a soldier in the War of the American 
Revolution, and a pensioner at the rate of eight dollars 
per month. He died October 20, 1844. His widow died 
September 6, 1851. 

A letter still extant, written at Raynham, Massachusetts, 
adjoining Taunton, "October ye 5, 1799," is a curious relic 
of those times in possession of the descendants of Simeon, 
the pioneer. It is by Silas Shaw and Betsy Shaw, and ad- 
dressed "To Mr. Simeon Caswel, In Turner or near by." 
The language shows the affectionate style of addressing near 
relatives in those times : "Most Loveing Sister and brother." 
In a letter dated "Augt. ye 20, 1792," the same relatives, 
evidently a brother-in-law and wife, say, "We have a litt'e 
dafter (daughter), which we named Rachel after her ant. 
. . Your loveing brother and sister tal death." In an 
old Bible about one hundred years old — published in Bos- 
ton in 1809, inscribed on back of title page, "The property 
of Philena Bray," appears the family record. 

Philip, b. in Taunton, Mar. 16, 1786, died Feb. 4, 1874. 
Philena Bray, his wife, was born June 28, 1789; died 
Sept. 30, 1868. They were married in 181 1, in Harrison. 
Their first born child was christened : 

1. Polly, afterward called Mary. She was married to 

Enoch Haskell, Jr. (See Haskell family.) 

2. Marquis De Pomeroy, b. Aug. 29, 1815; mar- 

ried, Jan. 4, 1843, Lucinda Cilley of Gorham. 

He died , 1889. Their children : David Eras- 

tus, b. June 7, 1844; married Harriet Elizabeth, 
daughter of Daniel and Phebe Haskell of Harrison. 
They have one son, Harold Guy, b. May 9, 1881. 
Mr. Caswell is a good farmer and possesses a good 
share of the family genius for mechanics. He is a 
practical carpenter in lines related to the building 
trade. Marquis E., b. May 17, 1846; died July 14, 
1849. Cynthia H., b. Dec. 14, 1847; married Ed- 
mond E. Holt, and resides in Bethel, Me. Millard 



408 A HISTORY OF THE 

Alarcellus, b. ^^lay 12, 1850; married Hattie Fran- 
ces, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Fogg) Webb of 
Bridgton. Mr. Caswell was endowed with a fine 
genius for mechanics, and early in life, when quite 
young, he worked for the Saco Water Power and 
Machine Co., of Biddeford. Next he was in the 
axle and general jobbing works of Samuel A. Mil- 
ler at South Waterford. Then with Miller & Bailey, 
Bridgton Machine Works, all which experience and 
practice has been the means of giving him a wide 
and varied knowledge of practical machine construc- 
tion ; a term of employment in the Hickley Loco- 
motive Works, Boston, fitted him especially for the 
responsible position which he has filled since the 
Bridgton & Saco Valley R. R. Co., was organized 
and commenced active business. Mr. Caswell has 
filled the position of Master Mechanic and Purchas- 
ing Agent for said company and has a record of 
performing the duties of his office with great effi- 
ciency and faithfulness. Children : Wilfred Harold, 
b. Sept. 8, 1876, in Bridgton. Clara Irene, b. Sept. 
19, 1893, in Bridgton. Wilfred Harold Caswell 
has had to this time a very promising career as 
a student and worker in several responsible posi- 
tions. He graduated from Bridgton High School 
in class of 1895, entered University of Maine in 
1896; graduated, 1900, in Mechanical Engineering 
and Electricity. He was appointed Teacher of 
Physics in 1901. He was in the same year appointed 
Assistant Engineer and Assistant Supt. in the en- 
gineering department of the Portland Company. In 
1906, he was electrical engineer in the International 

Paper Company of , and in 1908. is filling 

a high position in the Bath, Me., Iron Works, a ship 
building company, contractors for the building of 
war ships for the U. S. Navy. Albert B., b. Feb. 
13. 1855- Cornelia F., b. Feb. 26, 1857. Clara, b. 
May 12, 1859 ; died June 20, 1896. Mrs. Lucinda 
(Cilley) Caswell died Apr. 30, 1904. 
3. Ebenezer S., b. Mar. 15, 1817; married Emily L. 
Baron of Albany, in 1846; they resided in Harrison 
and Bridgton. Mr. Caswell was a man of excellent 
character and agreeable personal traits. He was a 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 40g 

gifted musician and for many years cultivated his 
talents by much practice on the violin, upon which 
he was a skillful performer of the old time dance 
music. He was an excellent fifer of the old time 
stirring airs, to which his brother Marquis, played 
accompaniments on the snare drum at the ancient 
militia trainings. He was an excellent mechanic, and 
worked in several trades, being a good carpenter and 
painter. Mr. Caswell died in Bridgton. Their chil- 
dren: Melissa, b. Nov. 3, 1847; married Ansel 
Harmon of Bridgton, July 28, 1867 ; she died May 
8, 1873. Ellen M., b. Dec, 1849: married Albert 
C. Bangs, July 29, 1869. James F., b. July 7, 1852. 
Edgar M., b. Aug. 9, 1854: married Emma Hayden, 
Sept. 7, 1875. Atley M., b. Apr. i, 1857. Ida E., 
b. June 22, 1859. Lillian, b. Aug. 2, 1862. 

4. Araminta, b. Feb. 9, 1818 ; married Thomas Haskell 
of Harrison. (See Haskell family). 

5. Fietta, b. July 10, 1819 ; married Jan. 11, 1844, 
James M. Edwards of Otisfield, b. Dec. 5, 1817. 
Their children, born at Bolster's Mills, were: James 
Dana, b. Jan. 27, 1848; died May 4, 1851. Lu- 
cinda, b. Aug. 2, 1849; married William A. Drink- 
water of Portland : they have had children : Ar- 
thur. Howard, Annie E., and Harold ; two are de- 
ceased. Orlando L.^ b. Apr. 16, 1852. Edgar F., 
b. Mar. 9, 1855 ; married Flora Jordan of Sabattus, 
Me. Frank Dana, b. Sept. 16, 1858. 

6. Rosilla, b. June 7, 1825; married Henry Haskell of 

Harrison in Jan., 1850. (See Haskell family.) 

7. Abel A., b. Jan. 18, 1822 ; died July 14, 1824. 

8. Alfred, b. Jan. 18, 1828; died Aug. i, 1831. Philip 

Caswell had thirty-two grandchildren. 

Fanny, b. Dec. 2, 1788 ; married Robert Lamb of Harrison 
(See Lamb family.) 

Simeon, b. Feb. i, 1790; married Lydia Whitney, and set- 
tled in North Bridgton on the Sweden road. He and his 
wife died there and were buried in a rural cemetery, near 
their home. Their children were : Rachel, Abigail, and 
Simeon ; no further record. 



4IO A HISTORY OF THE 

Marquis De Lafayette, b. in Minot, Oct. 30, 1791 ; mar- 
ried in 1818, Sally, daughter of Peter and Mary (Bald- 
win) Nutting of Otisfield; they settled in Harrison about 
a mile easterly from Harrison \^illage. Mr. Caswell and 
his wife were of most amiable and lovable character. 
They were earnest in their Christian profession and in 
their devotedness to the church and its institutions. They 
were members of the Congregational Church of Harrison 
and brought up their family to love the church and Sun- 
day-school. They had four sons and two daughters. 
The sons were all endowed, in common, with every other 
branch of the Caswell family, with remarkable mechani- 
cal abilities and were destined to serve their generation 
in various spheres of usefulness, and were everywhere es- 
teemed for their high religious and pure character. Mr. 
Caswell died Sept. 2. 1888. Mrs. Sally (Nutting) Cas- 
well died Oct. 12, 1858. Children of Marquis D. and 
Sally Caswell : 

I. Newell Nutting, b. May 13, 1819; married Elizabeth 
Gathercole of Colebrook, N. H., b. Oct. 27, 1825, 
at Northwold, Norfolk Co., England. Mr. Caswell, 
early in life, learned the cabinet making trade, but 
afterward, having a strong predilection for machin- 
ery and its construction, he was always thereafter a 
builder and user of all kinds of machinery for ordi- 
nary use in wood working, and had much practice 
in his favorite trade in fitting up mills and facto- 
ries in Harrison : eventually becoming a proprietor 
of a shop and mill fitted with circular saws, planing 
machine, lathes for wood and iron turning, and later 
a grist mill for grinding the corn and grain of the 
farmers. He was, for several years, engaged in 
purchasing oak timber and sawing it into staves for 
making shook. He was an exceedingly industrious 
man and possessed the unlimited confidence and sin- 
cere regards of the whole public. He attended close- 
ly to his business affairs until he was compelled by 
sickness and the infirmities of increasing years, to 
resign his property and its care and management to 
his son and successor. He built the first planing 
machine ever used in Harrison. Mr. Caswell died 
May 22, 1896. Mrs. Caswell died Mar. 26, 1883. 
Their children: Emily E., b. Mar. 24, 1849; she ac- 




Xewhll Xutting Caswell 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 41 1 

quired a good education in the common schools and 
at Bridgton Academy ; also at Gorham Normal 
School ; and was for a number of years a successful 
and popular teacher in the public schools. She re- 
tired from her profession a few years since and re- 
sides in the home of her brother. Hollis, b. Mar. 
22, i860; he succeeded to the estate and business of 
his father, and has greatly extended it to include a 
store containing a vast quantity and variety of useful 
merchandise. He is a close attendant on his varied 
business concerns and applies his energies to the con- 
stant extension of his trade. He married, ist, Mary 
A. Rodick of Freeport, Me, Nov. i, 1883; she died 
Aug. 3. 1888. He married 2d, Feb. 22, 1890, Edith 
L. Rodick of Freeport, sister of his first wife. Chil- 
dren by first wife : Bessie G., b. Aug. 3, 1888. By 
2d wife, Martha Elizabeth, b. Jan. 22, 1904. 

2. Francis Blake, b. Mar. 28, 182 1 ; married Eunice 

Mason Russell of Bethel, Me. He was a skilled 
wire maker for years in the first Harrison wire fac- 
tory before 1850. After that he settled in Bethel, 
and in Bridgton, where he was a proprietor of a 
successful watch making and jewelry trade. He lived 
in the house which he sold to Maj. H. A. Shorey, 
when he left Bridgton for Lewiston in 1873. He 
was in the jewelry business in Auburn till near 
his death. By his first wife he had one son, Frank 
Emery, b. June 12, 1855 ; he married Addie E. 
Groves (b. Nov. 3, 1855 : died Nov. 8, 1896). Frank 
was a dentist, and practiced his profession in Lew- 
iston and in Harrisburg, Pa., where he died Aug. 
22, 1892. Mrs. Eunice Caswell died in Lewiston, 
Dec. 15, 1873. Mr. Caswell married 2d, Abbie, 
daughter of Samuel and Betsy Scribner of Lewiston. 
Mr. Caswell died in Lewiston, Aug. 11, 1803. Mrs. 
Abbie S. Caswell died Sept. 26, 1899. 

3. Lyman, b. Sept. 29, 1824: married Mary, daughter of 
John and Meredith Hancock of Otisfi'eld. He was 
an excellent mechanic, devoting his energies to the 
making of superior carriages of the "Concord wag- 
on" style. He was a fine workman and had a repu- 
tation for turning out the best quality of work. 
He was compelled to retire from active business by 



412 A HISTORY OF THE 

sickness and died Jan. 15, 1859. His widow moved 
to Litchfield, Me., where her relatives were living, 
and married Oliver Waterman of Litchfield. 

4. Arvilla, b. Ang. 9, 1827 ; married Oct. 29, 1848, 

Edward K. Whitney of Harrison. (See Whitney 
family. ) 

5. Fidelia, b. July 8, 1830; married ist, Samuel Gray 

of Harrison ; married 2d, June 13, 1894, Samuel 
H. Dawes of Harrison. (See Dawes family.) 

6. John Hubbard, b. May 16, 1833; married Mary Eliz- 

abeth Whitney of Harrison, daughter of Freeman 
and Mary S. (Gray) Whitney. Mr. Caswell set- 
tled in Bridgton as successor to his brother, Francis 
B., in 1873, and has remained there as a skilled jew- 
eler and dealer in jewelry, watches, and silver and 
gold merchandise. 

Betsy, b. June 24, 1795; married Josiah Whitney, who 
settled near Caswell's Corner, of whom only the following 
record is obtainable; married in 1826; he died Nov. 8, 
1832, aged 64 years. She died Feb. 4, 1855, aged 59 
years. 

Lebbeus, b. June 24, 1795 ; married Oct. 24, 1820, Polly, 
daughter of John and Rebecca (Kimball) Woodsum. 
They settled first, near Caswell's Corner ; subsequently 
locating on an excellent farm on the Norway road, where 
he erected a good brick dwelling house, anil laid out an 
elegant garden and enclosed it with a circular fence. His 
homestead was an object of pleasure and admiration. 
He had a large family who grew up to be a credit and 
an honor to their parentage. Mr. Caswell was, not only 
a skillful mechanic, but an inventor of much note. He 
was the author of several very valuable inventions, no- 
tably a force pump and a corn planter, both of which 
were labor-saving implements designed for the use of 
farmers. These inventions were patented and in 1856, 
Mr. Caswell carried a working model of his corn planter 
to the West, for the purpose of selling rights to the 
farmers or to makers of implements. While there, stop- 
ping in a western city, he was attacked by fever and died 
before the accomplishment of his business designs. He 
was a man of kind and genial disposition, much esteemed 




Hon. John Woohsum Caswei.i. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 413 

for his good character and excellent qualities of mind 
and heart. Mrs. Caswell died Jan. 19, 1858, aged 59 
years. Children of Lebbeus : 

1. Mary Ann, b. Apr. 26, 1821 ; married Silas Stiles 
of Bridgton, and moved to Aroostook County. 

2. John Woodsum, b. Oct. 31, 1822; married, Feb. .j, 

185 1, Mary E. Purington of Harrison, b. Mar. 2, 
1830. lie learned the wire making trade in the 
first wire factory in Harrison. He was a member 
of the firm of P. Tolman & Co., of former years, 
whose large wire making business in Harrison for 
nearly a half a century has been described in this vol- 
ume. He acquired a handsome estate and erected 
one of the most costly and elegant residences in 
the town, the same in which his son, J. Wallace Cas- 
well, now resides. Mr. Caswell's record as a citizen, 
a prominent business man, and town official and rep- 
resentative to the Legislature in , is honorable. 

He died Nov. 2, 1897. Mrs. Mary E. Caswell died 
June 13, 1883. Their children: Elizabeth Jane, b. 
Feb. 9, 1852; married Spencer Drake; they reside 
in Harrison Village. Isabel A., b. Oct. 21, 1854; 
married Walter L. Twitchell of Harrison ; they have 
one daughter, Beulah A., who married Homer Brown 
of Waterford. Mary J., b. Alar. 8, 1858: married 
Frank O. Gray of Harrison. (See Albert Gray 
family.) Apphia B., b. Aug. 22, i860; married 
Dr. James Blaisdell, who resided in West Auburn 
as a practising physician until his death in 1899 ; they 
had two children: Stanley and Grace. John Wal- 
lace, b. Aug. I, 1862; married Ada E., daughter of 
Appleton Chaplin of Harrison: they have three chil- 
dren : Lester, Celia, and Helen. Charles A., b. 
Aug. 19, 1866: married Hattie Berry of Limington, 
Me. ; they had two children : Clara and Ethel. He 
died in Denver, Colo., in 1895. Fred W., b. May 
16, 1870; married Hattie Turner; they live in East 
Sumner, Me. ; have three children : Clyde, Clarence, 
and Thelma. Frank G., b. June 19, 1876; unmar- 
ried ; he works at chair and cabinet making in Bos- 
ton. 

3. Ruth Jane, b. Jan. 3, 1825; married ist, John Coffin; 

2d. William Smith ; 3d, David Yerrington ; they 
moved West. 



414 A HISTORY OF THE 

4. Lebbeus Addison, b. Aug. 30, 1826; died June 27, 

1827. 

5. Adaline, b. May 27, 1826; married Elias Irish Fogg 
of Harrison ; died Apr. 30, 1884. Mr. Fogg died 
Nov. 14, 1898, aged 71 years. 

6. Lebbeus Addison, b. Mar. 15, 1830: married Louisa 
Loomis. 

7. David J., b. Mar. 9, 1832; married Isabella Frost; 

went to Iowa ; thence to Nebraska, where he lived 
many years and died in Wescott, in that State, Aug. 
12, 1907. 

8. Emma C, b. May 31, 1835 ; married ist, Mark Mor- 
ton of South Paris ; 2d, William Morton — brothers ; 
they lived in New Haven, Conn. 

9. Abby F., b. Mar. 17, 1838; married Simon Libby. 

lo. Zilpha A., b. July 28, 1840; married ist, Wentworth 
Stuart of H^arrison ; 2d, John Gardner, a policeman ; 
resides in Boston. 

Zebina, b. Feb. 13, 1800: married Dorcas A., daughter of 
Enoch and Mehitable (Sweat) Haskell of Harrison, Sept. 
22, 1822, and settled on a farm a half mile above Cas- 
well's Corner on the Waterford road. Mr. Caswell was 
born at the dawn of the nineteenth century and his life 
and personality seemed to have been influenced by the 
ideas of freedom and liberal government at that time 
being advanced by the American people. As the writer 
remembers Mr. Caswell, in the prime and fullness of his 
manhood, he was of an agreeable presence, kindly de- 
meanor, frank and outspoken, always with a happy ex- 
pression of countenance and gentlemanly manner of ad- 
dress. He was a liberalist in matters of religion and a 
Jacksonian Democrat in politics, and could discourse elo- 
quently on the public issues of his day and generation. 

He died •, 1875 ; his wife died . Children: 

Julia Ann, married Cyrus Baker of Waterford. 
Catherine, died in youth. 

3. Alanson, b. 1830; died May 25, 1905. 

4. Emily Jane, married Walter Lovejoy of Waterford. 
Roxy Ann, b. Jan. 9, 1835; married Henry Billings 
of Waterford. He was a superintendent in the office 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 415 

of the New York & Erie R. R. Co., residing in 
Hornell, N. Y., where he died Nov. 7, 1890, and 
where his widow yet resides. 

6. Daniel Haskell, b. Nov. 14, 1836; married Louise 

Bradwell of Dayton, Ohio. Their children : Clara 
B., b. Aug. 20, 1870; married. Lutie, b. in 1871 ; 
died in youth. Fanny Lee, b. Jan. 19, 1874, in Cleve- 
land O. Daniel Haskell, b. Dec. 25, 1875, in Austin, 
Tex. William Thomas, b. Apr. 7, 1877, in Austin, 
Tex. Helen Louise, b. Nov. 5, 1878, in Austin, Tex. 
Henrietta B., b. Sept. 11, 1882, in Austin, Tex. 

7. Albert S., b. , 1838; married Lucinda, daugh- 

ter of James and Lucinda Lowell of Harrison ; was 
in mercantile business in Boston many years ; died 
in that city, Oct. 15, 1905. 

8. Stephen E., b. July 9, 1842 ; married Marion Amanda, 

daughter of Moses and Sarah Young of Waterford, 
Me. ; they reside in Wakefield, Mass. 

9. Catherine, b. in 1848 ; married George Shedd of Otis- 

field; died in 1877. 

DANIEL HASKELL CASWELL, son of Zebina, de- 
serves special honorable mention in this review of the na- 
tive people of Harrison. During the first fifteen years of 
his life, he was at home giving faithful service to his par- 
ents. At sixteen he went to the Penobscot River and was 
employed the next two years in lumbering. Next he was 
in Boston one year. In 1856, he left Boston in a ship for 
Buenos Ayres, South America, and stopped at Montevideo 
six years. In 1863, he embarked in a sailing vessel for 
San Francisco doubling Cape Horn — a voyage of three 
months, eight days. He was in Sacramento and Nevada, 
the next two years and a half ; then back to San Francisco, 
and to New York, via the Isthmus. This adventvirer next 
finds himself settled with a wife and young family in Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, where he resided twenty years. Here he 
erected his first oil mill for the extraction of oil from cotton- 
seed. He continued the business of construction of similar 



4l6 A HISTORY OF THE 

mills in many different places. He is the oldest man in that 
business now living. He has built oil mills in Alabama and 
Georgia, and many in Texas. He removed from Nashville 
to Austin, Texas, in 1895, ^"d settled permanently in that 
city, where he has since operated the cotton-seed oil busi- 
ness on an extensive scale. In 1899, he came home to his 
native town and in token of his reverence for the place of 
his birth, and the kind parents, long since passed away, he 
remodelled and repaired the dilapidated buildings, in a sub- 
stantial manner. He also purchased the old homestead of 
the first Lowell family at Caswell's Corner and remodelled 
and improved the house and outbuildings for the purposes 
of a summer residence for his family. 

In 1906, Mr. Caswell added to real estate belongings by 
the purchase of the farm, one-third mile from Harrison 
Village on the Norway road, overlooking Anonymous Pond, 
(formerly owned by Theodore Ingalls ) and has made thor- 
ough alterations and improvements in this pleasant lakeside 
home, to which has been given the pretty title of "Lone 
Star Cottage," for the great State of their adopted life resi- 
dence. 

But our returned townsman was not yet content with these 
testimonials of his regard for his native town and its peo- 
ple. In 1907, he became impressed with the urgent needs of 
the Harrison Public Library Association, and at once came 
to the aid of that institution with a generous gift of $1,701; 
for the purchase of an eligible site, and for the erection 
thereon of a costly and substantial building for the recep- 
tion and accommodation of its growing library, and for the 
business and social meetings of the association. That build- 
ing is, in this autumn of 1908, a notable addition to the mod- 
ern style of architecture in our village, and in its exterior 
and interior construction, is a conspicuous honor to the 
memory of the noble-hearted donor for whom it is appro- 
priately named, "The Caswell Library." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 4T7 

CHADBOURNE FAMILY. 

The Chadbournes in New England trace their lineage back 
about two hundred and seventy-five years, to the famous 
old times of the renowned Ferdinando Gorges and his 
grand colonial government planted on the territory of Maine 
about 1643, when according to a history of those events, 
the first Chadbourne ancestor in America, Humphrey by 
name, was a large land owner and very influential in the 
colony. He represented the town of Kittery in the General 
Court of Massachusetts, in 1657 and 1659, and in 1662 was 
appointed an associate Justice for the County of York. 
He died in Berwick in 1666, after a residence in this coun- 
try of about thirty-five years. 

JAMES HOBBS CHADBOURNE, of the sixth gen- 
eration, a son of Humphrey and Phebe Chadbourne came 
to Harrison about 181 1. Before coming to Harrison, Mr. 
Chadbourne had lived in Falmouth and Gorham, and from 
tiie latter place he doubtless removed to this town. He 
married, January 4, 1789, Dorcas Whitmore, born in 1771. 
She died in Harrison, November 8, 1846. Their children: 

Samuel Whitmore, b. in 1790; married and was cast 
away upon Campobello Island. His memorial stone in 
the F. \V. Baptist cemetery in Harrison, bears the follow- 
ing inscription: "Samuel \V. Chadbourne, who was cast 
away on Campobello Island and perished on the night 
of Feb. 14, 1817, aged 27 years. He was an amiable 
man, esteemed and lamented by all who knew him ; he 
had been happily united in marriage five months, when 
it pleased God to separate them, but not forever, having 
given them a lively hope that through the sufferings and 
righteousness of Christ, they should meet to part no 
more." His remains were removed from their original 
resting place on the island, to make way for a road, and 
were buried in the yard before named. The curious free- 
stone monument that had been erected at his grave was 
brought into town with his body and re-erected where 
it now stands. 



4-l8 A HISTORY OF THE 

Phebe, b. June 12, 1791 ; married Aaron Kimball of Bridg- 
ton and has resided in Boston. 

Charlotte, b. Sept. 4, 1793 ; married Lyman Nutting of 
Otisfield. She was the mother of a large family of 
sons and daughters, all born in Otisfield. They were 
gifted with bright intellects and were distinguished as 
scholars and teachers and in the world of business. 

1. James L., the eldest, b. June 12, 1818, was a lawyer 

and settled in Pennsylvania, where he gained dis- 
tinction and wealth. 

2. Charlotte C, b. Feb. 10, 1820, was a teacher and 
married Chadbourne. They had no children. 

3. Lyman, Jr., b. May 24, 1824, was a fine scholar and 
taught a number of years in the schools of Otisfield 
and Harrison. He settled in Pinegrove, Pa., and 
became a proprietor of coal mining business, in which 
he is reputed to have accumulated a handsome for- 
tune. He died in 1893. 

4. Dorcas Ann, b. Aug. 5, 1826, was a scholar and 
teacher. She married Moses S. Eastman of Casco. 
They had one son, James, and a daughter, Myra, 
who has been a teacher in the public schools of Port- 
land. Mrs. Dorcas Ann Eastman died in 1907. 

5. Emeline H., b. June 8, 1829, was a fine scholar and 
teacher in some of the higher schools in the State. 
She married Dr. James P. Webb of Bridgton, and 
died there. She had three children, all deceased. 

6. Silas, b. Mar. 7, 1831. He was a brilliant scholar 
and possessed a noble and lovable nature. In the 
midst of his fond aspirations for a career of learning 
and worldly success, he was prostrated by a fatal 
illness and died in 1854. 

7. Albert P., b. Aug. 2, 1835. He is a prosperous 

farmer in Otisfield, married • ; had 

a son and daughter ; the daughter is deceased. 

CoL. James Hobbs, b. June 23, 1796 ; married Mercy A., 

daughter of Samuel and Hannah Scribner of Harrison. 

(See Scribner family.) They had children: 

I. Joel Whitmore, married, ist. Honor Towne ; 2d, 

Mrs. Sarah Cummings ; he died in Hudson, 111, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 419 

2. Scribner, married Mercy Brown of Waterford. 

3. Mary Ann, married James H. Cox ; moved to Hud- 

son, 111., and died there. 

4. James Hobbs, b. in Waterford, July 22, 1828; mar- 

ried Catherine Stone Saunders, daughter of Amos 
and Sylvia Saunders of Waterford, b. Apr. 9, 
1828. He settled on the fine homestead of his 
father and was a successful farmer and prominent 
citizen of his town : their children : Amos Saunders, 
b. ]\Iar. 24, 1853: married Emma L. Tuck of Hal- 
lowell. Me. ; was a dealer in nursery stock for many 
years ; died Jan. — ■, 1902 ; their children, born in 
Hallowell, are: Arthur Chase, b. Mar. 3, 1886; 
graduated from Bowdoin College, 1907, now em- 
ployed by the International Banking Corporation, 
London, England. Ravmond Hubbard, b. July 30, 
1887. Robert B., b. dct. — , 1889. Helen Emma, 
b. Feb. — , 1892. John Pierce, b. May — , 1906, 
died May - — , 1907. James Arthur, b. Oct. 20, 1855 ; 
married Apr. 2, 1883, Ruth Green, daughter of 
W'illiam H. and Ruth K. Green of Waterford ; chil ■ 
dren : Ruth Anna, b. in East Stoughton, Mass., Oct. 
27, 1884. James Green, b. in Santee, Nebraska, 
Nov. 3, 1886. William Warren, b. in Santee, Ne- 
braska, Feb. 5, 1888. Katherine Saunders, b. in 
Santee, Nebraska, June 13, 1890. James Arthur 
Chadbourne graduated from the Bridgewater Nor- 
mal School, Mass., in , and taught a number 

of years; he has resided a number of years in 
Mass., and in Nebraska ; he is a prosperous farmer 
in North Bridgton, Me., a leading member of the 
Congregational Church and prominent in the coun- 
cils of Lakeside Grange, P. of H. Mary Ann, b. 
Apr. 15, 1856; is a teacher in Brockton, Mass. 
Lizzie Maria, b. Oct. 24, 1859 ; married Frank H. 
Morse of Waterford, son of Granville and Julia 
(Stone) Morse. Mr. Morse is an intelligent and 
successful farmer and grower of large crops of 
Baldwin and other best qualities of apples. He owns 
an excellent farm which, under high culture, pro- 
duces large crops of corn, beans, potatoes and ce- 
reals. His orchards are among the most extensive 
and thrifty in the county, from which his harvest 



420 A HISTORY OF THE 

of Baldwins. Stark, and other first-class kinds of 
apples in good bearing years, considerably exceed 
one thousand barrels ; their children : Mary Chad- 
bourne, b. Feb. 21, 1888; is a graduate of Bridgton 
Academy, class of 1908, and entered Bates College 
as a student the same year. William Montgomery, 
b. Jan. 4, 1892. James Granville, b. Oct. 7, 1893. 
Margaret, b. Sept. 3, 1898; died Dec. 31, 1900. 
Julia S., b. Feb. 25, 1903. William Henry, b. Xov. 
7, 1865 ; married Clara P. Babson of Penobscot, 
Me., resides on the homestead of his father and 
grandfather and is a thrifty farmer and lumber 
operator ; their children are : Edgar, b. Apr. — , 

1895 ; died Sept. . Fred Perkins, b. Sept. 14, 

1896. Philip Herbert, b. ^lay — . 1901. Sylvia 
Stone, b. Mar. 17, 1868, married Charles H. Kil- 
borne of Waterford ; they reside in Xew York City. 

R::fus. b. June 20, 1798; married Mahala, daughter of 
Jonathan ]\Ioors of Otisfield ; settled in Waterford ; sub- 
sequently migrated to Wisconsin ; his children : Gran- 
ville, Albion, Mercena, Mahala, Julia, Horace, Frederick, 
and Fernando. 

G.\RDNER, b. Oct. 24, 1800, died in infancy. 

Gardner, b. July 17, 1802; married Betsy A., daughter of 
Isaac Hall of Harrison ; removed to Lincoln, Me. He 
had a second wife by whom he had children: ilartha 
and Mary. 

WiLLi.\M. b. May 26, 1805 ; married Sarah, daughter of 
Abraham Burnham of Harrison (b. May i, 1812 ; died 
June 30, 1832). 2d, Mrs. Sarah Moors of Otisfield ; 
3d, Martha A. Stevens of Sweden : he settled near the 
home of his father on an excellent farm. He was a 
devoted Christian, a member of the Congregational 
Church, and a good, kind neighbor. His children were : 
William Burnham, Sarah Jane and Elizabeth. William 

Chadboume died - — ■ ; Mrs. Martha Stevens 

Chadbourne died June 8, 1887. 

Charles, b. June 10, 1808; died young. 

SiMEOX, b. June 11, 1809; married ^Miriam, daughter of 
Edward and Susanna (Hobbs) Bray, and settled on the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 421 

paternal homestead, the same owned many years by B. 
F. Stanley. He moved West and lived there; his chil- 
dren were : 

1. Charles H., b. Aug. 14, 1834. 

2. Susan, b. Mar. 8, 1836. 

3. George, b. Sept. 15, 1838. 

4. Joseph, b. Nov. 22, 1840. 

5. Edward. 

6. Phebe. 

Humphrey, b. Nov. i, 1811; married Jane, daughter of 
Benjamin and Betty (Hancock) Wight of Otisfield. He 
was a carpenter and builder ; a man of active and useful 
life. He settled for several years at North Bridgton 
and was the builder of some of the best houses still 
standing there. Jane, his first wife, deceased, without 
children. Mr. Chadbourne afterward moved to Penob- 
scot County and settled in Molunkus, where he married 
and reared a large family. His children: 

1. Jane Wight, b. Dec. 20, 1841. 

2. Danville S., b. Nov. 6, 1843. 

3. Harriet L., b. July 28, 1844. 

4. Henry W., b. Apr. 19, 1846. 

5. Josephine R., b. Jan. 9, 1848. 

6. Humphrey J., b. Oct. 30, 1849. 

7. Adellia S., b. Aug. 3, 185 1. 

8. Irene H., b. Oct. 13, 1854. 

9. Samuel W., b. Feb. 10, 1857. 
10. Jane H., b. Mar. 7, i860. 

Dorcas, b. Apr. 13, 1817; married Nathan Nutting of 
Otisfield. Mr. Nutting was a very ingenious mechanic 
and was many years one of the most competent carpen- 
ters and builders in the country. He was the master 
builder of the present Otisfield Hill meeting-house, and 
was the builder of many first-class dwelling houses. Af- 
ter years of very successful building operations during 
which he had a number of apprentices who also became 
leading builders and contractors in Portland and other 
places. Mr. Nutting erected a large mill for sawing and 
manufacturing carpenters' planes of all kinds, to the 



422 A HISTORY OF THE 

most elaborate moulding tools, and for years he had a 
large contract for making those tools for wholesale deal- 
ers in carpenters' tools. The mill of Mr. Nutting was 
the first ever operated by steam power in Otisfield. Mr. 
Nathan Nutting died Sept. 4, 1867. Mrs. Dorcas (Chad- 
bourne) Nutting died . Their children: 

1. Ephraim, b. in Otisfield, Oct. 16, 1833. He went 
to Wisconsin when about 21 years of age and set- 
tled in Sparta in Monroe Co., of that State, where 
he resided until his death in 189 1. He married in 
1867, Dorcas E. Holden of Otisfield. They had one 
daughter, b. in Sparta, Wis., in Oct., i87i. Mrs. 
Dorcas E. Nutting resides in Mentone, Cal. 

2. Gilman, b. in Otisfield, Sept. 23, 1837. He married 
Annie M., daughter of Barclay and Ann Wight 
of Casco. Their children, all born in Otisfield : Al- 
fred G., b. Feb. 14, 1863 ; died Jan. 25, 1900. Nathan 
W., b. Sept. 5. 1865. Maurice H.. b. May i, 1871. 
Clinton E., b. Jan. i, 1879. Josephine B., b. Sept. 
8, 1883. 

3. Josephine M., b. in Otisfield, July 12, 1840; married 

Feb. — , 1863, Dr. Edward Mayberry Wight of Cas- 
co. One son, Edward A., was born in Casco, Nov. 
28, 1864 ; is a successful physician and surgeon ; 
residence at Bolster's Mills, Harrison. In 1865, Dr. 
E. M. Wight moved to Gorham, N. H., where he 
has remained in most successful practice of his 
profession. Mrs. Josephine (Nutting) Wight died 
in Gorham. Their children, born in Gorham : Edith 
A Ralph H. Josephine M. Leon D. Hattie May, 
died at Bolster's Mills, July, 1907. Lawrence N. 

4. Eugene, youngest son of Nathan and Dorcas (Chad- 
bourne) Nutting, died in Sparta, Wis. 

Samuel W., b. Mar. 17, 1817; married Susan, daughter 
of Dea. Edward Bray of Harrison. They had one son, 
Cyrus, b. in Harrison. Mr. Chadbourne was a carpenter 
by trade. He settled in Harrison and lived here many 
years ; also in Oxford, Me., where he kept the Oxford 
Hotel a number of years. They moved to Fond du Lac, 
Wis. Mrs. Chadbourne died June 12, 1866. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 42.5 



CHADBOURNE FAMILY NO. 2. 

BENJAMIN H. CHADBOURNE, descended from the 
common New England ancestor, Humphrey of Kittery 
and Berwick, came to Harrison as early as 1807. He set- 
tled on the road leading from the head of Anonymous Pond 
southward near the residence of James Fleck. He was 
a worthy and very industrious citizen ; by trade a brick 
mason, also farmer. He married Polly Powers of San- 
ford, Maine. They had eleven children, who nearly all 
grew to maturity here, but removed or died so that no 
one of that large family has been resident of the town 
for more than fifty years. Mr. Chadbourne died in old 
age, September 5, 1844. His children were : 

LovELL P., b. Aug. 14, 1807; married Dorliska, daughter 
of Samuel Willard of Harrison. (See Willard family.) 
He died about 1846. His widow married Daniel Scribner 
in 1848. 

James M., b. July 5, 1809; married Ruth, daughter of 
Nicholas Bray ; lived in Harrison, Whitefield, N. H., and 
Amesbury, Mass., where his descendants were recently 
living. 

Hannah H., b. Nov. 18, 181 1; married Jeremiah Moul- 
ton of Sanford and lived there. 

Benjamin H., b. Oct. 4, 1813; married Jane Chase of 
Edgecomb, Me., and settled in Lancaster, N. H., where 
he was in trade and was a deputy sheriff. He removed 
to Illinois, and, is said to have sympathized with the 
South during the Civil War. 

Thomas W., b. Nov. 23, 1816; married Emma D. Arnold, 
Mar. 10, 1858, and resided in Rockland, where he was 
a policeman and high sheriff of his county. He mar- 
ried a second wife and removed to Boston, where he was 
engaged in business. 

Nathan P., b. June 27, 1819; no further record. 

Mary W., b. Sept. 28, 1821 ; died unmarried. 



424 A HISTORY OF THE 

Deborah H., b. Apr. 13, 1825 ; married John Holman of 
Boston; she lived in childhood in the family of Hon. 
George Peirce, was well educated and was for some 
years a public school teacher. 

Sarah P., b. May 5, 1827; died in the East. 

Alfred H., b. Apr. 7, 1830; went to St. Johnsbury, Vt., 
and worked in the great Fairbanks Scale Works for 
a time; afterward became a clerk in a steam mill com- 
pany. He went South before the era of the Civil War 
and is said to have "espoused the Rebel cause" and served 
in the Rebel army. He returned North and was con- 
nected in business with his brother-in-law, John Holman. 

Dorothy S., b. Aug. 8, 1832 ; no record. 



CHAPLIN FAMILY. 

The older members of the Chaplin Family were none 
of them residents within the territory now included in 
Harrison, but some of them did live in that part of Naples, 
which was taken from Harrison. A very prominent mem- 
ber of the family was for many years a leading citizen 
of our town, and the family has numerous representative? 
now in the town, several of our prominent families having 
married members of the Chaplin family. We have been 
more fortunate in collecting material in regard to this 
family than in regard to some others, and it is thought 
best to make liberal use of that which has a direct in- 
terest for so many of our residents and former residents, 
and a general interest for all. 

Ridlon, in his "Early Settlers of Harrison," tells us that, 
"The New England stock are descended from a Puritan 
who was driven to Leyden, in Holland, and came thence 
to Massachusetts, with the Rev. Ezekiel Rodgers, May 
29, 1639." We have been able to trace the genealogy from 
what is probably the third generation from the Puritan 
ancestor. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 425 

JOHN CHAPLIN was born May lO, 1717; married 
Hepsibah Jewett on Jan. 27, 1747; died Jan. i, 1774. His 
wife was born Jan. 27, 1724; died Jan. i, 1771. We think 
that they were residents of Rowley, Mass. Children: 

Hannah, b. April 11, 1748. 

Hepsibah, b. Sept. 26, 1750. 

Joseph, b. Feb. 22, 1752. 

David, b. Jan. 26, 1754. 

Lydia, b. Dec. 2, 1755. 

John, b. Jan. 22, 1758. 

Daniel, b. March 8, 1760. 

Martha, b. Aug. 4, 1762. 

Caleb and Louis (twins), b. March 20, 1764. 

Eunice, b. Aug. i, 1766; married Bronson Emerson, Oct. 
16, 1790 ; had one child, Sarah Emerson, b. Nov. 7, 
1791. Later she married for second husband, James 
Poole; had one child, Eunice Poole, b. June i, 1808. 

JOHN CHAPLIN, son of John and Hepsibah (Jewett) 
Chaplin, was born January 22, 1758; married Margaret 
Knowls, and settled in Rowley, Mass., where the first 
six of their children were born. They left Rowley about 
1790, and moved to that part of Bridgton which is now 
in Naples. It appears that they remained in Bridgton till 
about 1802, and then moved to Miramichi, N. B., six more 
children having been born to them while in Bridgton. 
Two more were born in Miramichi, making a family of 
fourteen boys, of which it appears that ten grew to man- 
hood. Their children were as follows ; 

John, b. April 30, 1780; died in 1784. 

Jacob, b. April 13, 1782; married Miriam Jackson, and 
secondly, Susan Kimball; lived in Naples, Me. 

John, b. Aug. 20, 1784; married Lydia Knowles, and 
lived in Bridgton, Me. 



426 A HISTORY OF THE 

Benjamin, b. Sept. 26, 1786; married Jane Welch, and 
lived in Miramichi, N. B., and later in Naples, Me. ; 
died in 1872. 

Caleb and Daniel (twins), b. April 22, 1789; Caleb 
died when young, and Daniel settled in Water ford. Me. 

William, b. Sept. 15, 1791 ; settled in the East. 

Eliphalet and Robert (twins), b. March 17, 1794; both 
died when young. 

Washington, b. April 15, 1796: married Elmira Martin, 
and lived in Naples. 

Thomas, b. April 22, 1799; went South. 

Eliphalet, b. Dec. 26, 1801. 

Caleb, b. ; married Ruth Jordan. 

Robert Andrews, b. ; married Priscilla Wight, and 

lived in Naples. 

JOHN CHAPLIN, son of John and Margaret Chaplin, 
was born in Rowley, Mass., August 20, 1784, and came to 
Bridgton with his father's family about 1790. He married 
Lydia Knowles, and settled in Bridgton, Maine. Like 
many of his relatives, he was noted for being a very large 
man. The children of John and Lydia (Knowles) Chap- 
lin were as follows : 

Margaret, b. March 14, 1807 ; died when about twenty 
years of age. 

Richard Smith, b. Dec. 29, 1808 ; married Mary E. Jew- 
ett, and settled in Naples ; married for second wife, 
Clarissa W. Hilton ; had eight children : 
I. Appleton H., b. May i, 1841 ; married Lydia Pitts 
of Naples. He died Mar. 26, 1900. They resided 
in Harrison. Children: Mary A., b. Sept. 26, 1865; 
married Chas. Batchelder of Naples and had three 
children: Myrtle, Perley and Shirley; the last 
named died when small ; Myrtle married Joseph 
Wiley of Naples and has two children : Bertha and 
Shirley. Lillian D., b. Mar. 16, 1867; married Her- 
man Thompson and had four children: Ella, Guy, 
Norman and Clifford ; Ella married Fred Russell 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 427 

and has one son, Maurice. Ada E., b. Nov. 4, 1868; 
married J. Wallace Caswell. (See Caswell family.) 
Minnie B., b. Dec. 30, 1870; married Ed. Leighton 

of Windham, and has two children, and Lottie. 

Charles H., b. July 28, 1873 ; married Alice Chap- 
lin and has one child, Marguerite. Hattie L., b. 
Apr. 8, 1876: married Freeman Fogg of Westbrook, 
and has four children : Geneva, Everett, Ethel and 
Harvey. Mr. Fogg died Apr. 2, 1905. Mrs. Hat- 
tie Fogg married 2d, Henry Leighton of Windham. 
They reside in Harrison. Frank, b. Nov. 15, 1879; 
married Maggie Tripp. 

2. Zelman A., b. Feb. 21, 1842; died Apr. 18, 1845. 

3. George Ambrose, b. Feb. 21, 1845; married Celia 

Bryant and had one son, Perley, who married Nellie 
Procter. Ambrose married 2d, Stella Willey. 

4. Flora A., b. Jan. 24, 1847 ; married David Jillson of 
Otisfield. Children : Bert, William, Cora and Neva. 

5. Mary A., b. Jan. 26, 1849; married Daniel Rogers 
of Naples. Children : Dana, Edwin, Loton, Edith 
and Maggie. 

6. Samuel S., b. May 6, 1851 ; married Lucy Chaplin 
and had one child, Mary Josephine, who died. 

7. Clara L., b. June 4, 1855 ; married Frank M. Traf- 

ton of Harrison. (See Trafton family.) 

8. Araminta E., b. Dec. 29, 1856; married James A. 
Trafton of Harrison. (See Trafton family. ) They 
reside in Westbrook. 

OSBORN, b. Nov. 13, 181 1 ; married Ruth Merrill, and lived 
in Bridgton, Me., at Sandy Creek, being the owner 
of the mills at that place for many years. He is the 
father of David P. Chaplin, Esq., for many years a 
lawyer and prominent citizen at Bridgton Village. 

John K., b. Jan. 13, 1813 ; married Jane (Knowles) Lewis, 
and lived in Bridgton ; had two children, Byron and 
Jennie, the latter being the second wife of Marshall 
Jordan of Harrison. Mr. Chaplin was noted as being 
the largest man in Naples. 

Lydia, b. Sept. 4, 1814; married Royal Warren. 



428 



A HISTORY OF THE 



George W., b. Aug. 15, 1816; unmarried; lived in Bridg- 
ton, and was associated with his brother Osborn in 
carrying on the mills at Sandy Creek. 

Eunice P., b. Oct. 5, 1818; married Jonathan Merrill of 
Bridgton, and lived in that town, a short distance from 
Sandy Creek. Mrs. Merrill died in 1884, and her hus- 
band on Feb. 28, 1899. They had three children, Aus- 
tin P., Thatcher P., and Etta. Both sons are leading 
citizens of Bridgton, Austin having the proud distinc- 
tion of being the largest man in town, and Thatcher 
the honor of being the Chairman of the Board of Se- 
lectmen. Etta married R. G. Fessenden of Boston. 

Sarah E., b. July 29, 1820: married George W. Chaplin, 
son of Jacob Chaplin of Naples. They lived for many 
years in Naples, on the "Brandy Pond Road," and had 
three daughters, Emma, Louise, and Ida, who married, 
respectively, Alvarado Hadlock, Lincoln Cousins, and 
William Hadlock, and live at Westbrook. Me. Mrs. 
Chaplin died in • , after which her husband dis- 
posed of his farm in Naples, and for several years lived 
in Harrison with the family of Frank M. Trafton. 

Abigail M., b. Dec. 6, 1822 ; married Caleb A. Chaplin, 
and lived in Bridgton and Harrison ; and, after the 
death of her husband, resided at Westbrook with her 
daughter, Mrs. Jas. H. Tolman. Mrs. Chaplin was the 
motlier of five children, of whom hereafter. Mrs. Chap- 
lin died July 20, 1905. 

Samuel P., b. May 11, 1825; married Lydia Knowles. 

David, b. April 10, 1830; died young. 

BENJAMIN CHAPLIN, son of John and Margaret 
Chaplin, was born in Rowley, Mass., September 26, 1786, 
and came to Bridgton, Maine, with his father's family 
about 1790, remained there till about 1802, and then re- 
moved with the family to Miramichi, N. B. In 1815, he 
married Jane Welch, and settled in Miramichi, where their 
first four children were born. He moved to Naples, 
Maine, about 1823, and settled a short distance from Edes's 
Falls, on the road leading to Harrison, over the Plaisted 
Hill. He lived there until after the death of his wife, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 429 

which occurred September i6, 1854, after which he made 
his home with his son, Washington C, until his death 
which occurred in 1872. The house wliich was his former 
home was torn down after he vacated it. He was a mem- 
ber of Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., and at the time of 
his death he was the oldest Mason in the State. 

Benjamin and Jane (Welch) Chaplin had a family of 
eight sons and four daughters : 

James W., b. July 7, 1816; married Eliza D. Waterman 
of Poland, by whom he had two sons, one of whom is 
living in Damariscotta, Me., and the other in Abing- 
ton, Mass. Mr. Chaplin served in the War of the Re- 
bellion, in the 6th Mo. Cavalry ; was commissioned 
as Lieutenant, but was taken prisoner before he was 
mustered in, and thrown into a southern prison. It is 
told that he was manacled because he would not swear 
allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, and that he 
wore the irons until they chafed his wrists to the bone. 
He was not exchanged until near the close of the war. 
He returned to Maine, and died in Auburn in 1878, his 
wife being previously deceased. 

Jacob, b. Feb. 19, 1818 ; married Harriet W. Yates of 
Bristol, Me., in 1845. She died in 1852, and, for second 
wife, he married Mary Thomes Brocklebank of Port- 
land, who is now living in Clay Center, Kan. Mr. 
Chaplin was in business at Harrison for a time, manu- 
facturing staves and shook, with his brother, Caleb A., 
as a partner. Later on he emigrated to Clay Center, 
Kan., where he died in 1874. 

Daniel, b. Jan. 22, 1820 : married Susan Gibbs of Glen- 
burn, Me., who died in Bangor, Me., in 190.3. Mr. 
Chaplin enlisted during the early part of the War of 
the Rebellion as a Captain in the 2nd Me. Infantry, 
and later was commissioned as Colonel of the 18th Me. 
Infantry. Subsequently the First Maine Heavy Artil- 
lery. He was killed by a sharpshooter at the Battle 
of Weldon Roads in June, 1864, while at the head of 
his regiment. 

Eliphalet, b. in May, 1822; died in 1824. 



430 A HISTORY OF THE 

Caleb A., b. May 8, 1824; married Abigail M. Chaplin 
of Bridgton, and lived in Bridgton and Harrison ; had 
a family of five children, of whom hereafter. 

Almira C, b. April 27, 1826 ; married George Lown of 
Portland, in 1847, who died in Lewiston, Me., in 1897. 
Mrs. L. in now living in Auburn, Me. 

Washington C, b. July 13, 1828; married Joanna Stuart 
of Harrison, Jan. i, 1855, who died in Conway, N. H., 
Sept. 17, 1905. Mr. Chaplin was a resident of Naples 
for seventy-four years, but is now living at Conway, 
N. H., with his only daughter, Mrs. Chas. Robinson. 
He had six children, Willis, Joseph S., Margaret, Nellie, 
Daniel G.. and Byron. ]\Iargaret died when young, and 
all the others are living. Joseph S. has been many years 
a resident of Harrison, and has been a member of the 
Board of Selectmen. 

Ellen C, b. Aug. i, 1830; married Capt. Jeremiah Staples 
in 1852, and he was lost at sea in 1854. Later she mar- 
ried Peter Jerris of Portland, who is also dead. 

Cyrus C. b. Sept. 28, 1832 ; married Angeline Stuart of 
Harrison, and both are now living at Oxford, Me. He 
served as a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, being 
a member of the 17th Me. Infantry. He was in eight 
battles, and several skirmishes, and received a gun-shot 
wound in the right ankle at the Battle of the \\'ilderness. 

L\T)iA C, b. Nov. 14, 1834; married Warren Sanborn of 
Naples, who died in 1899. Mrs. Sanborn is now living 
at Bridgton with her daughter, Mrs. John Riley. 

Margaret, b. Feb., 1837; married Melvin Wadlin of Ken- 
nebunk. Me., in 1858; died in 1863. 

John C, b. July 8, 1839 ; married Emma Hazeltine of 
Naples, and, secondly, Mrs. Louise Woodbury of Port- 
land, who is still living. He served in the War of the 
Rebellion in the ist-ioth-29th Me. Infantry. After his 
return he lived in Bridgton several years, carrying on 
the barbering business. Later he moved to Portland, 
where he died in 1898. 

CALEB A. CHAPLIN, fifth son of Benjamin and Jane 
(Welch) Chaplin, was born in Naples, May 8, 1824, and 




Hox. Caleb A. Cu.MT.i.N 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 43I 

came of good Revolutionary stock, as his grandfather, 
John Chaplin, and great grandfathers were soldiers in that 
war, and Lieut. John Chaplin, great grandfather, was in Ar- 
nold's expedition against Quebec, and often told the story 
of the sufferings of the men in their march through the 
Maine wilderness in the late autumn of 1775; how they 
were almost upon the verge of starvation, and obliged 
to resort to such extreme measures as trying to obtain 
food from boiled boot legs and cartridge boxes ; and how 
they marched almost barefooted over the frozen ground, 
leaving bloody footprints at almost every step ; a story 
that is amply verified by the chronicles of history. Rev. 
Jeremiah Chaplin, another relative, also served in the Rev- 
olutionary War in 1775-77: and in 1799, he graduated 
from Brown University, and was the first President of 
Colby College, Waterville, Me. 

The subject of this sketch received his education at 
the common schools, and at Bridgton Academy. He was 
an apt scholar, especially in history and mathematics, hav- 
ing a most remarkable memory. Some of his sayings were : 
"There is no such thing as forgetting;" "No one ever 
forgets anything which he once knew. It may slip his 
mind, but he can readily recall it again." He did a great 
deal of studying at home, and his children tell of hearing 
him say that he never required any help in arithmetic until 
after he got through the "Rule of Three." During the 
time that he was acquiring his education he taught school 
during the winter in Naples, and nearly all of the sur- 
rounding towns ; and later in life taught in many towns 
in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

It is related of him that while he was attending Bridgton 
Academy, the pupils were required to declaim on Wednes- 
day afternoons, and when his turn came he would always 
have some kind of an excuse. Finally Principal Soule 
told him that, positively, no further excuses could be ac- 
cepted, and that he must declaim on the next Wednesday 



432 A HISTORY OF THE 

afternoon. The time arrived, and wlien young Chaplin's 
name was called he marched to the platform and recited 
from beginning to end, Byron's "Siege of Corinth," which 
fills twenty-one closely printed pages, and when he had 
finished that, started in on Bryant's "Thanatopsis." Mr. 
Soule stopped him, and told him that he could be excused 
from declaiming further on that occasion ; and it is fur- 
ther related that Mr. Chaplin was not called on for fur- 
ther declamations during his attendance at the Academy. 

In 1849, Mr. Chaplin married his cousin. Miss Abigail 
M. Chaplin, daughter of John and Lydia (Knowles) Chap- 
lin of Bridgton, and settled in that town. For a time he 
carried on his farm in the summer and taught school in 
the winter, and then he entered into trade, keeping a dry 
goods and grocery store in the "Union Store" at Sandy 
Creek. He was also for a time, about 1858, associated 
with his brother Jacob in the stave and shook business at 
Harrison. 

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he was a strong 
Unionist, and organized a company, of which he was to 
be the Captain, but he could not pass the necessary medical 
examination on account of injuries which he had received 
in his childhood. He could enter the service as a quarter- 
master without an examination, and did so, serving nine 
months at Fortress Monroe, Ship Island, and at New Or- 
leans under Gen. Butler. He was then discharged for 
disability, and sent home. When he was carried aboard the 
transport at New Orleans it was thought that he could 
not live to get home, but as they came to northern waters 
and cooler breezes he began to improve, and when the 
ship reached Boston, he was able to assist to some ex- 
tent in the removal of the more unfortunate ones who had 
grown worse as they neared home. Four of his brothers 
were in the army at the same time that he was, but he 
never had the good luck to encounter any of them, as 
they chanced to be in different parts of the South. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 433 

After recovering his health to some extent, he decided 
to study law, and did so in the office of Hon. Nathaniel 
S. Littlefield at Bridgton. In the fall of 1865, he moved 
his family to North Bridgton, and opened a law office at 
Harrison, he being then forty-one years of age. The next 
year he moved his family to Harrison, and was a resident 
of that town until his death, or about twenty-four years, 
continuing the practice of law all of the time, except for 
the very short time that his health prevented. He was a 
lawyer of no mean ability, and he was universally re- 
spected by his fellows of the Cumberland Bar. Hon. 
A. S. Kimball, in his Historical Address delivered before 
the Alumni of Bridgton Academy in 1882, said of him : 
"Among the scholars at this time we see C. A. Chaplin 
of our Board of Trustees, who has shown us what a man 
with but small means can accomplish by industry and 
perseverance. He was one of a large class of students 
who have gone from this Institution, having acquired by 
their own efforts a good academical education, and making 
successful men and women." 

He was thoroughly versed in legal matters, his remarka- 
ble memory carrying him in this respect beyond some of 
the more pretentious lawyers of the city. His counsel 
and advice were always entitled to respect, and he was a 
faithful worker for those who entrusted their business 
to him. But he had a great hatred of shams and subter- 
fuge, and always wished his clients to be open and frank, 
sometimes carrying this desire to such an extent as to shock 
some who were inclined toward a different course. In 
one case a client of his had agreed to leave his case to 
referees. Mr. Chaplin was somewhat late in arriving, and 
was surprised that the hearing had not commenced, as 
his presence at the start was not necessary. Inquiring 
the cause of the delay, he was told that his client refused to 
sign the necessary agreement, although the man on the 
other side had readily done so. Turning to his client he 



434 A HISTORY OF THK 

asked him why he did not do as he had agreed in respect 
to the matter of reference? The cUent undertook to ex- 
cuse his conduct, and laid considerable stress upon cer- 
tain entries in a small note book, which he read from. 
This he continued until Mr. Chaplin was thoroughly vexed, 
when he startled his client by sharply exclaiming: "Stick 
that little book into the fire, and sit down and sign that 
agreement!" He did the signing forthwith, and the incident 
is a good illustration of the straightforwardness of Mr. 
Chaplin. 

He did a lucrative business at his Harrison office as 
long as his health permitted him to work, and he held 
out to almost the very last, going to his office day after 
day when he was so feeble that he could not travel the 
whole distance without stopping to rest on the way. He 
was also an excellent land surveyor, and this accomplish- 
ment added not a little to his income, and was of great 
assistance to him in cases where boundaries were in dis- 
pute. For many years he did a great portion of the sur- 
veying in Harrison and adjoining towns. 

While he resided in Bridgton, he served on the Board 
of Selectmen, and was three times chairman of the Board 
while in Harrison. He was frequently called upon to 
serve as Moderator in Harrison town meetings, always 
to the satisfaction of those who elected him, though he 
was sometimes in the desk when considerable nerve and 
good judgment were required. He was County Com- 
missioner of Cumberland County for 1865-67, and was 
a member of the State Senate in 1871-72. 

He was greatly interested in educational matters, and 
was a member of the Superintending School Committee . 
in 1871-73. He was liberal and progressive In his ideas 
and did his utmost to secure better educational privileges 
for the scholars of Harrison, being instrumental, with 
others, in securing the Free High School which was kept 
for a time at the two villages, and always advocated lib- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 435 

eral appropriations for the common schools. During the 
long and hotly contested fight for the adoption of the 
Town System, he was earnestly in favor of it, and worked 
to his utmost in favor of its adoption as long as his health 
permitted him to take part in the town meetings, believ- 
ing that it would equalize the schools, and give the same 
educational advantages to the scholars in all parts of the 
town. He further believed in the educational advantages 
to be derived from a good library, and was an earnest 
worker for the old Village Library, the first institution 
of the kind at that place, and started at a time when the 
benefits of a library were not regarded in the light that 
they now are. 

Not only was he greatly interested in the schools in 
the town of his residence, but he had a great love for 
Bridgton Academy, the school which he attended during 
the principalship of Moses Soule, about 1846. In 1876, 
he was chosen as a member of the Board of Trustees in 
place of Dr. Moses Gould, deceased, held the position until 
his death in 1890, and was a constant attendant upon the 
meetings of the Board. He was also one of the trustees 
of the State College, Orono, now University of Maine. 

While a resident of Bridgton, Mr. Chaplin was bap- 
tized, and became a member of the Free Will Baptist 
Church. After his removal to Harrison he was for many 
years an active member of the Free Will Baptist Church 
at the Village, though later in life he became estranged 
from it to some extent on account of certain differences 
of opinion which existed between him and some of the 
other members, his course in this being in strict accordance 
with the independence which characterized his actions in 
all other respects. He believed in developing the very best 
that was in one, and in making the most out of the pos- 
sibilities of life. He was kind hearted, not only to his 
own, but to the stranger as well, always willing and ready 
to help the young in their efforts for an education. 



436 A HISTORY OF THE 

He was public spirited, interested in everything pertain- 
ing to the interests of his town or its people, or that tended 
towards the elevation of his fellow men, morally, intel- 
lectually, or spiritually. He was loyal to his native State 
to a remarkable degree, and was greatly attached to the 
town which had been his place of residence for so many 
years. At one time, when addressing an agricultural meet- 
ing, he told of his experience in several other States in 
which he had sojourned for a time in his early life, and of 
what he had seen in them, ending with substantially these 
words : "After all of my experience in many States out- 
side of Maine, and especially in the West, I am firmly 
of the opinion that Maine is the best State in the Union, 
that Cumberland County is the best county in Maine, 
and that Harrison is the very best town in the County 
of Cumberland ;" and no one who heard him when he 
uttered those words could doubt that he was thoroughly 
in earnest in what he said. 

Although the law was his chosen vocation, and he was 
greatly in love with his calling, yet he never forgot his 
experience on the farm in his early days, and was always 
much interested in agricultural matters. He was for many 
years an active member of the Harrison Farmers' Club, 
serving on many occasions as one of its officials. For a 
long time he was a constant attendant at the meetings of 
this club, always taking an active part in its discussions, 
and sometimes delivering an address upon some agricul- 
tural topic, which address was sure to be able and thought- 
ful, and sometimes founded upon the experience which 
.he had had while carrying on his Bridgton farm. He 
was a great reader upon almost every topic that was be- 
fore the public, and his hearers were sure to get the ben- 
efit of what he learned in this way, including the expe- 
rience of practical farmers, as well as the scientific side 
of farming, which was then in its infancy in this vi- 
cinity. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 437 

Politically, Mr. Chaplin was in his early life an ardent 
Republican from the very foundation of the party, and 
was very active in forwarding the interests of that party, 
serving on town and county committees, and often speak- 
ing in the campaigns. Later in life he became dissatis- 
fied with some of the acts of the party, and believed that 
a long lease of power was making it corrupt. True to his 
independent nature, he refused to endorse what he did 
not fully believe in, and became "disgruntled" politically. 

In 1878, he became interested in the "Greenback ^love- 
ment," which was attracting much attention in the polit- 
ical field, especially in ?klaine. After due investigation 
and consideration, he endorsed the new party fully, and 
entered into the campaign in its behalf with the same 
energy that had always characterized all of his political 
work, quite a number of his fellow Republicans in Har- 
rison following him into the "enemy's camp." When the 
Greenback party died out, Mr. Chaplin became an out- 
spoken Democrat, and during the remainder of his life, 
he was in full sympathy with that party, and an earnest 
worker in its behalf. It is needless to add that he was a 
leader in his new position, for his natural abilities would 
always carry him to that place, no matter where he might 
be, or what work he was engaged in. 

He was an earnest, energetic speaker, never at a loss 
for words, always going straight to the point, and ex- 
pressing himself in such a manner that no one could mis- 
take his meaning. When dealing with that which he re- 
garded as deserving condemnation, he never "minced mat- 
ters" in the least, and was apt to be very severe, al- 
though he never failed to command the close attention of 
his hearers, and even his strongest political opponents al- 
ways respected him for his plain speaking, which left 
no one in the dark as to his position. 

The writer remembers that upon one occasion, Mr. Chap- 
lin was associated at a political meeting with a speaker 



438 A HISTORY OF THE 

from abroad who proved to be extremely mild, seeming 
to be inspired throughout his speech by the desire to say 
nothing that could possibly "hurt the feelings" of any of 
his hearers, there being times when it was almost im- 
possible to tell where the speaker really stood upon the 
questions that he was pretending to discuss. Mr. Chap- 
lin was manifestly uneasy, and showed plainly that the 
speech was not the "strong meat" that suited him. When 
he took the platform he had evidently made up his mind 
to give his hearers something that would be a decided 
opposite to what they had been hearing. He let loose his 
power of invective upon the opposition, and such a "tongue 
lashing" was seldom heard in Harrison. But there was 
no lack of argument backed up by facts, driven home and 
clinched, followed by condemnation of the party that would 
be guilty of such things, in the most terribly severe lan- 
guage that the speaker could summon to his assistance. 
It was just what the speaker delighted in, for he entered 
into his work with all of his might, and was a "radical of 
radicals." 

Mr. Chaplin was very fond of athletic sports of all 
kinds, such as running, jumping, playing ball, and wrest- 
ling, and could often throw a man much heavier than him- 
self. Checker playing was a favorite game, and during 
periods of leisure he would frequently play alone for 
hours, studying the different moves, and becoming an ex- 
pert at the game. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing, and was a 
good shot, partridges being his favorite game. He liked 
pets, and was especially fond of horses, kittens, and doves. 
He had a great love for children, and never tired of en- 
tering into their games, and doing his utmost for their en- 
tertainment. He was tender and loving with his family, 
seldom or never uttering a harsh or unkind word to them. 

Though clearly entitled to a pension for disabilities in- 
curred in the war, and not a wealthy man, he would never 
apply for one as long as he was able to earn his living, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 439 

and when at last he consented to do so, it was too late, 
for he died before his case could be acted upon. He 
was quite feeble for a long time, though he carried on 
the business at the office long after he ought to have 
given up all work. He died on September 8, 1890. 

The children of Caleb A. and Abigail Chaplin, all born 
in Bridgton, were as follows: 

Clara Jane, b. Nov. 2, 1850; married James S. Fleck 
of Harrison, June 25, 1874. Children: Chaplin F., b. 
June 18, 1875, worked on the electric cars at Westbrook 
for sometime, married Eva Fletcher, and now lives in 
Biddeford ; Abby Eleanor, b. Sept. 14, 1877, married 
George Edwards, and lives at New Gloucester ; Mar- 
garet, b. Aug. 14, 1882, married a Lane, and lives at 
Rumford Falls; Richard H., b. Sept. 18. 1884, unmarried, 
and lives in Harrison ; Winnifred C, b. Jan. 25, 1886, 
unmarried, and lives at home; Hugh, b. Sept. i, 1892. 
Children all born in Harrison. 

David Byron, b. July 4, 1852; died April 7, 1853. Mr. 
Chaplin always mourned the untimely death of his only 
son, though often saying that girls were not the worst 
property that a man could have. 

Ella E., b. March 20, 1854; married James H. Tol- 
man of Harrison, Nov. 25, 1877; lived in Harrison 
about three years, then moved to Casco, where her 
husband practiced law some ten years, then to West- 
brook, where Mr. Tolman has been Judge of the Mu- 
nicipal Court for fifteen years. Children given in the 
genealogy of the Tolman Family. Mrs. Ella E. Tolman 
of Westbrook, was appointed a Justice of the Peace, 
Nov. 24, 1866. 

Genevra Abby, b. Sept. 11, 1855; married James P. Lown 
of Harrison ; lived at North Bridgton several years, 
and then at Harrison. A few years ago they moved 
to St. Mary's, Penn., where Mrs. Lown died Aug. 11, 
1906. Children: Caroline Isabel, b. Sept. 17, 1879, 
married, and lives in Penn. ; Josephine, b. May 20, 1881, 
unmarried and is living with her father ; Beatrix, b. 
Aug. 24, 1883, unmarried, and lives at home ; Velma, 
b. July 10, 1889, unmarried, and lives at home. All of 



440 A HISTORY OF THE 

the children were born at North Bridgton, except the 
last who was born at Harrison. 

Alma Lydia, b. April 7, 1858; died Aug. 27, 1858. 

Mrs. Abigail M. Chaplin died in Westbrook, Maine, at 
the home of her son-in-law, Judge James H. Tolman. 

A. M. 



CHUTE FAMILY. 

Two families of this name have resided in Harrison, viz. : 
William, and Franklin Augustine Chute. They were broth- 
ers, sons of William Carr Chute of Otisfield, in that part 
which was incorporated into the town of Naples. These 
families are : 

WILLIAM CHUTE, born in Otisfield, October 22, 1819; 
married to Emily Nutting, daughter of Joseph and Nancy 
(Lombard) Stuart of Harrison, November 21, 1844, by 
Rev. James P. Richardson of Otisfield. They began mar- 
ried life in Naples, living there till 1866 ; then a few months 
in Norway, finally settling in the village of Bolster's Mills, 
where Mr. Chute died, July 15, 1883. Mrs. Chute subse- 
quently removed to Gorham, and spent the remainder of her 
life near the family of her daughter, ]\Irs. Rose (Chute) 
Johnson, where she died December 11, 1897. William 
Chute, during his lengthy residence in Naples, became a 
member of Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., of Bridgton, and 
was repeatedly elected master of the lodge, and was one 
of the most devoted and useful members. Soon after his 
removal to Bolster's Mills, he initiated a movement for 
the organization of a lodge at Bolster's Mills, which was 
instituted under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of 
Maine, April 15, 1869. (See pp. 44-47.) Their children: 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 44I 

Joseph Freeland, b. in Naples, Mar. 2, 1847 ; married Lill 
Dresser of Bridgton, June 4, 1870. She died Apr. 14, 
1897; he married 2d, Louise Merrill of Portland, June 7, 
1899. 

RosANNAH, b. in Naples, May 4, 1852; died Aug. 23, 1852. 

Rose, b. in Naples, Sept. 10, 1855; married Frank P. John- 
son of Gorham, Jan. i, 1885. 

Joseph F. Chute has been, since his early manhood, con- 
nected with social and fraternal organizations in honorable 
relatione. He was the first Keeper of Records and Seals 
in Highland Lodge, No. 10, Knights of Pythias, of Bridgton, 
Maine, which office he held continuously until elected to the 
same office in the Grand Lodge. This office he held eleven 
consecutive years. He has been for eighteen years, secre- 
tary of the Casco and Portland Building & Loan Associa- 
tions, living at Woodfords, winters, and at Great Diamond 
Island, summers. 

Mrs Rose C. Johnson, in her childhood, was noted for 
her fine scholarship. She was a teacher in the public schools 
of her own town in her sixteenth year, and taught with much 
success in Bridgton, Otisfield, Naples, Waterford, and Gor- 
ham. She was graduated from the Bridgton High School 
in 1875, and from Gorham Normal School in 1883. Since 
her marriage, she has served considerably as a substitute 
teacher in the Normal School. Was Grand Matron of the 
Order of the Eastern Star in 1903-4, and at present is serv- 
ing as Lady Visitor at the State School for Boys, by ap- 
pointment of the Governor. 

FRANKLIN AUGUSTINE CHUTE, born February 
25, 1827; married September 24, 1853, Elizabeth Jones 
Hall of Bridgton, born April 4, 1829. Their children : 

QuiNCY Mayberry, b. Nov. 30, 1854; married Melissa 
Dresser Lewis of this town, Dec. 20, 1881. Children: 
I. Blanche Adelaide, b. Aug. 13, 1882; married Howard 
Oliver Coy of Oxford, Me., July 25, 1904. Chil- 
dren: Velma Marion, b. May 29, 1905. Raymond 
Wiltsea, b. Dec. 22, 1906. 



442 A HISTORY OF THE 

2. Roland HoIIis, b. Apr. 17, 1885. 

3. Walter Delmont, b. May 31, 1891. 

4. Philip Archer, b. Mar. 29, 1893. 

5. Helen Myra, b. Apr. 29, 1900. 

Cora Bell, b. Sept. 14, 1863; married Nov. 12, 1881, John 
Fremont Witham of Harrison. (See Witham family.) 



COOK FAMILY. 

OBADIAH GOULD COOK was born in the town of 
Casco, then a part of the town of Raymond, in the County 
of Cumberland, in the District of Maine, on January 12, 
1815. He was the son of Ephraim and Mary (Gould) 
Cook. Ephraim Cook was the son of Daniel Cook and 
was born at Dover, New Hampshire, July 19, 1760. The 
father of Daniel Cook was John Cook. Both Daniel and 
John Cook were born in Dover, the former September 11, 
1732, and the latter May 5, 1692. The Cooks were Quakers, 
and Ephraim came with his father from Dover, New Hamp- 
shire to Windham, Maine, and with other Quakers, settled 
in the latter town. 

Obadiah passed his boyhood on the farm of his father 
in Casco. He attended the common schools and in addition 
had the advantage of limited attendance at the Friends 
School at Providence, Rhode Island, and at Limington Acad- 
emy at Limington. While a young man, he taught school 
for a number of years and in 1840, began the study of 
law with Aaron B. Holden, Esq., in Casco. He was ad- 
mitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1848. In 1854, 
as a clerk, he entered the office of the Register of Probate 
at Portland. At this time he was a member of the Free 
Soil party. In September of that year at a convention in 
Lancaster Hall in Portland, attended by members of the 
three political parties known as Morrill Democrats, Whigs 




Obadiah Gould Cook 




Hon. Charles Sumxer Cook 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 443 

and Free Sellers, Mr. Cook was nominated from the 
Free Soil party as Clerk of Courts. He received the coali- 
tion vote and was elected to the office, and re-elected again 
in 1857. 

On December 26, 1854, he married Christiana S. Perry, 
by whom he had three children: Mary E., Charles Sumner 
and Christiana S. On March 11, 1861, his wife died and 
soon after he moved to Bolster's Mills in Harrison. Here 
he became the owner of saw and grist mills, which he op- 
erated for many years. He devoted himself also to the 
work of his profession. During all his residence in Har- 
rison, he took an active and interested part in all public 
matters. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen 
for the town for the years 1864, 1874-76, and a member 
of the Board of Superintending School Committee for 
the years 1874-75-76. He was most interested in the es- 
tablishment and maintenance of free high schools in the 
town from the time they were first authorized by the law 
of the State and gave liberally from his private means to 
increase the length and efficiency of such schools. He 
was one of the founders of the Republican party and active- 
ly identified with that party until his death. Though born 
a Quaker, he early accepted the doctrines of the Universa- 
list Church, to which he adhered all his life. January 15, 
1863, he married as his second wife, Lucy I. Perry, a 
sister of his first wife. He died in Harrison, February 3, 
1894. Children of Obadiah G. Cook: 

Mary Electa, b. in Portland, Me., Jan. 5, 1856. She mar- 
ried George Hazen of North Bridgton, Me., May 17, 
1876. Their living children are: Bertha May, b. Dec. 
21, 1878. Annie Mildred, b. June 14, 1886. 

Charles Sumner. (See sketch below.) 
Christiana S., b. in Portland, Me., Feb. i, 1861. 

Charles Sumner Cook, the son of Obadiah Gould Cook 
and Christiana S. (Perry) Cook, was born in Portland, 



444 '^ HISTORY OF THE 

Maine, November i8, 1858. His boyhood was passed at 
Bolster's Mills in Harrison, to which town his father moved 
in 1861. He attended the public schools of the town and 
completed his preparation for college at the Nichols Latin 
School in Lewiston, Maine, from which he graduated in 
1877. He entered Bates College the same year and grad- 
uated from that institution, with honors, in the Class of 
1881. 

After leaving college, he devoted some time to teaching. 
For one year he was principal of the Waldoboro, Maine, 
High School. Later he began the study of law in his 
father's office in Harrison and in December, 1884, entered 
the office of Symonds & Libby, in Portland, Maine. This' 
firm was then composed of Hon. Joseph W. Symonds, 
ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of Maine, and Hon. 
Charles F. Libby, ex-Mayor of Portland. Mr. Cook con- 
tinued his law studies in this office and was admitted to 
the Cumberland County bar in October, 1886. Since that 
time, he has been in the active practice of his profession 
in Portland. In 1891, he formed a co-partnership with 
Judge Symonds and later (1892) the firm became Symonds, 
Snow & Cook, by the admission of David W. Snow, Esq., 
and in 1901, Symonds, Snow, Cook & Hutchinson, by 
the admission of Charles L. Hutchinson, Esq. The firm 
has always had a large and varied business, numbering 
among its clients, many of the large railroads and business 
corporations of the State. 

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Cook has devoted 
much time to the organization and management of finan- 
cial and business corporations. In 1906, he organized the 
Fidelity Trust Company, of Portland, the charter for which 
he had previously secured, and has been Vice-President 
of this company since its organization. He is President 
and Director of the Brunswick Electric Light and Power 
Company, a Director of the Sagadahoc Light and Power 
Company, Director of the Atlantic Shore Line Railroad 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 445 

Company, President of the State Loan Company and of 
Prince's Express. For many years, he was Director of 
the National Traders Bank, which position he occupied 
until the bank was taken over by the FideHty Trust Com- 
pany. 

He is a Trustee of Bates College and of the Maine 
General Hospital and Portland Public Library. He is a 
member of Ancient Landmark Lodge, F. & A. M., a mem- 
ber of the Cumberland Club, Portland Club, Portland Ath- 
letic Club and Portland Country Club. He was a mem- 
ber of the Executive Council during the last administration 
of Governor Powers and during both administrations of 
Governor Hill, and acted as Chairman of that body during 
the first administration of Governor Hill. 

October 23, 1889. he was married to Annie Jeflfreys Reed, 
daughter of Hon. Isaac Reed and Lydia Emery (MacDon- 
ald) Reed, late of Waldoboro, Maine. Mrs. Cook was 
born August 19, 1864, and died October 25, 1903. Mr. 
Cook has two children, Lydia MacDonald, born Jan- 
uary 26, 1892, and Robinson, born January 30, 1895. 



CUMMINGS FAMILY. 

THOMAS CUMMINGS, born May 11, 1768, came from 
Topsfield, Massachusetts, about 1810, and settled on the 
hill where the town farm is situated. Mr. Cummings de- 
scended from an ancient family in Topsfield, England. His 
wife was Abigail Foster. She died December 29, 1858. 
He died in Harrison, January 2;}, 1848. Their children 
were : 

Jonas, b. in Topsfield, Mass., June 9, 1798; married Nancy 
S. Piper (b. in Otisfield, May 14, 1802), July 2, 1829. 
Mr. Cummings died in Harrison, Feb. 8, 1875. Mrs. 
Nancy Cummings died Feb. 14, 1889. The children of 
Jonas and Nancy Cummings were : 



446 A HISTORY OF THE 

1. Dorcas A., b. May 10, 1830; married David F. 
Carsley of Harrison. (See Carsley family.) She 
resides in Harrison. 

2. Zibeah B., b. Jan. 27, 1832; died Mar. 22, 1850. 

3. Albert F., b. Apr. 20, 1835 ; married Nellie Gil- 
creast of Andover, Mass., Nov. 29, 1866. Their 
children are: Milon A., b. Feb. 9, 1873, in Harrison; 
married Emma O. Cotton of Hiram, Me., Aug. 21, 
1889. Belle F., b. in Harrison, Mar. 12, 1885, mar- 
ried Frank B. Ward, Mar. 12, 1904; their children 
are: Albert F., b. Dec. 29, 1904. William S., b. 
Dec. 14, 1905. Raymond C., b. Apr. 17, 1907. 

Albert F. Cummings was a soldier in the Civil War, as 
a private in Co. B., 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery, of Massa- 
chusetts, and is a member of John Logan Post, G. A. R. 
of Harrison. 

4. George H., b. Aug. 27, 1838 ; married Sarah E. Fer- 

guson (b. Apr. 27, 1839) Jan. 4, 1864. Their chil- 
dren were: Isabelle F., b. Dec. 25, 1864; married 
Willis Lowell, May 2, 1886, and died May 21, 1898: 
they had one child, Maud Isabelle, who survived 
her, b. Mar. 22, 1892 ; died Dec. 29, 1899. Mary E. 
b. July 28, 1866; married Edward Hicks, Dec. 24, 
1887; they had one child, Florence, b. Apr. 29, 1890; 
died Dec. 22, 1895. Frank W., b. May 31, 1868; 
married Lizzie M. Stone, Mar. 18, 1896; children: 
Ernest F., b. Feb. 7, 1897. Wallace W., b. Sept. 3, 
1900. Lawrence, b. Mar. 16, 1902. 

George H. Cummings is an opulent farmer, and pros- 
perous business man. His early mental training in the 
common school, supplemented by several terms at Bridgton 
Academy and the select High School of Miss Harriet 
Douglas, gave him excellent preparation for solving the 
many tough problems in business and politics and social 
life he was destined to encounter in after years. He taught 
several terms of district school in the years succeeding his 
school life. He has been repeatedly elected to serve on 
the Board of Selectmen of his town, and as Town Agent. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 447 

In 1894, he was appointed by the Governor, State Appraiser 
of Real Estate. He was agent for the firm of Goff & 
Plummer, a large portion of the time for thirty years past 
in purchasing, surveying and driving large quantities of 
timber down Crooked River, across Sebago Lake and by 
the Presumpscot River to Middle Jam, where their mills 
are located. He has also been often employed as surveyor 
of timber by the Portland Star Match Company. Mr. Cum- 
mings represented his district in the Legislature of 1890-91, 
as a Republican. He was elected first Master of the first 
Lakeside Grange, and when in a few years it was obliged 
by adverse circumstances to discontinue its active existence, 
his love for the order impelled him to join the Crooked 
River Grange, in which he is still a most loyal and worthy 
member. It is his staunch adherence to the faith of the 
Free Baptist Church, of which he is a member since his 
youth, and his true fealty to the fraternity principles of 
the Patrons of Husbandry that constitute him a complete 
all-round, good citizen. It is quite supposable that being 
located on the central spot where the first man and woman 
pioneer had their primitive camp, he is a constant partici- 
pant of the grand, harmonizing influence of the good spirits 
of the blest departed who breathe their benedictions upon 
all faithful souls. Mrs. Sarah E. Cummings, his wife, is 
in all respects the worthy equal of her husband as a citizen, 
and in all domestic and social affairs. 

Foster, second son of Thomas, b. Aug. 23, 1800 ; mar- 
ried Lucy, daughter of Samuel Scribner of Harrison. 
He resided here many years but eventually went West 
and settled there. 

AsENATH, b. Mar. 22, 1803; married Oct. 15, 1822, Seth 
Carsley, 2d, and died many years ago. 

Abigail, b. Apr. — , 1808, married Peabody Kneeland, and 

had children. 
LoiSA, b. June 27, 1809 ; never married. 

Elizabeth, b. Dec. 21, 181 1, in Harrison; married Samuel 
Gray of Harrison, Sept. 27, 1832. (See Gray family.) 



448 A HISTORY OF THE 

DAWES FAMILY. 

The pioneer of this name in the early settlement of 
Harrison, was JOSEPH DAWES of Duxbury, Massa- 
chusetts. He settled in the town of Minot, about 1790, 
and in 1802, he removed to Harrison, accompanied by his 
son. Gushing Dawes and settled on a farm on the hill, 
a half mile east of the site of the present Harrison Village. 
The first wife of Joseph Dawes was Mary Gushing, prob- 
ably a native of Duxbury, for their first child. Gushing, 
was born there. She died July 22, 1789. He married for 

second wife, , by whom he had two children. 

He died in Harrison, March 27, 1833. Ghildren: 

GUSHING DAWES, born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, 
August 2, 1775 ; married Mary Packard, born in Duxbury, 
February 11, 1780. They were married in Minot, Maine, 
November 27, 1800. He settled with his father on the 
farm where the family have since lived. Mr. Dawes died 
September 13, 1853, aged seventy-seven years. His widow 
died May 24, 1874, aged ninety-four years. Their children: 

Nancy, b. in Minot, Dec. 8, 1801 ; married Bucknell 
Scribner of Harrison, Oct. 11, 1821, and died Oct. 3, 1823. 

John, b. in Harrison, Apr. 21, 1803; married May 31, 
1827, Bethia, daughter of Nathan and Susie Garsley, (b. 
Oct. 25, 1802) and settled on his father's farm. He was 
a successful farmer and business man ; active in promot- 
ing the welfare of his town in all movements for public 
improvement in religion, education, temperance and gen- 
eral morality. He was one of the original founders of 
the Free Will Baptist Ghurch of Harrison, and during 
his whole life a faithful and consistent upholder of its 
faith and a liberal contributor to its support. In secular 
affairs, he had the respect and confidence of his fellow- 
citizens for his genuine candor and good judgment. In 
1866, he was elected to represent his district in the Leg- 
islature, in which term he was instrumental in procuring 
an act for the addition to the territory of the town, of 
several lots of land from the town of Bridgton. He held 
tlie ofiice of Justice of the Peace for a number of years 




llo.N'. JOHX UaWES 




Mrs. Bethia iCarslev) Dawes 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 449 

and filled other positions of public trust with credit and 
fidelity. Mrs. Bethiah Dawes died Apr. 7, 188 1. Mr. 
Dawes died Mar. 12, 1892. Children: 

I. Samuel Hathorn, b. Sept, 18, 1828; married Jan. 19, 
185 1, Lucy Ann Adams of Harrison and settled on 
the homestead of his father and grandfather. He 
was an energetic farmer for a number of years, but 
eventually he engaged in the lumber trade and shook- 
making, operating a canal boat, etc., in which lines 
of business, he was successful and prosperous. In 
1865 and 1866, he erected an expensive and stately 
set of buildings for his residence. In 1868, he com- 
menced an enterprise in systematic and thorough 
orchard-planting, in which he exercised much intel- 
ligence and good judgment in selection of varieties 
and in after culture and care. He has demonstrated 
how a persistent lover of the orchard and garden 
can succeed in the best methods of planting, culti- 
vation and marketing the finest quality of fruits. 
Mr. Dawes has been for many years a prominent 
member of the Maine Pomological Society, contribut- 
ing largely to the success of its annual exhibitions 
and other meetings ; and has received numerous 
liberal and sweeping prizes from State and other 
societies for his splendid exhibition of apples, pears, 
plums, grapes, etc. He is one of the most success- 
ful cultivators of small fruits in the county, having 
a ready and increasing market for hundreds of dol- 
lars' worth of strawberries, raspberries, and black- 
berries, all of the most superb quality. The example 
of Mr. Dawes as an amateur fruit culturist, has, in 
recent years, created a wide interest among neigh- 
boring farmers, and an ambition to excel in those 
lines of farm industry : so that he may be justly 
regarded as one of the principal pioneers in improved 
methods of fruit husbandry, and a deserving bene- 
factor of his generation. 

The homestead of Mr. Dawes, situated on the site of 
the original home of his great-grandfather, is one of the 
most elegant and complete examples of a gentleman's home 
existing in any of the towns in this section of the State. 



450 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Children of S. H. and Lucy Ann Dawes : Clara, b. May 

15. 1857; died Jan. 10, 1867. Annie True, b. Mar. 16, 
1862 ; married Horace P. Seavey of Harrison, Aug. 10, 
1876; died in Chicago, Aug. 18, 1889; their children: 
Clara Dell, b. Mar. 12, 1879, in Chicago, married and lives 
in that city. Edith Isabella, b. Nov. 23, 1885 ; married 
Richard Eastman, resides in Somersworth, N. H. ; they 
had one daughter, Wilma, b. July 19, 1907. Cora May, b. 
Aug. 10, 1869; married Herbert R. Dennison of Norway, 
Me., June 25, 1890; children: Lawrence Hathom, b. Dec. 

16, 1891. Hobart True, b. Jan. 19, 1894. Clifford Dawes, 
b. June 26, 1897. Mr. Herbert R. Dennison is in mer- 
cantile business in Boston. His family reside in Harrison. 

Mrs. Lucy Ann, first wife of S. H. Dawes, was a woman 
of excellent traits of character, an affectionate wife and 
mother, actively interested in the church and societies of 
which she was a member and genuinely esteemed by a 
wide circle of friends. She deceased December 24, 1892. 
Mr. Dawes married 2d, June 13, 1894, Mrs. Fidelia Gray, 
widow of Samuel Gray. (See Gray family.) She de- 
ceased September 9, 1905. Mr. Dawes married for 3d 
wife. Miss Isabella Augusta, daughter of the late Albert 
and Phidelia (Savage) Gray, of Dorchester, Massachusetts. 
(See Albert Gray family.) 

2. Nancy, b. Nov. 8, 1831 ; married Galen J. Deguio of 

Portland, Jan. 19, 1854. 

3. Silas Curtis, b. Sept. 15, 1840; married Nov. 24, 

1863. Addie Frye, daughter of Col. John M. Frye 
of Lewiston, b. Nov. 11, 1842. They had one son, 
John Frye, b. Feb. 27, 1865 ; died Jan. 20, 1902. 

Silas C. Dawes was a bright and amiable man. In early 
life he was in mercantile business in Portland and Lewiston, 
Maine. Subsequently he went to the West, and was in 
business in Omaha, Nebraska, and in Toledo, Ohio. He 
finally settled in Cincinnati, and was an agent of the Union 
Life Insurance Co. of that city. He was killed by collision 
with an electric car, August 9, 1895. Mrs. Addie Frye 
Dawes died , 1907. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 451 

BELA DAWES, born January 6, 1793 ; married Eunice 
Walker, daughter of Charles and Eunice Walker of Har- 
rison, October 21, 1819. Their children: 

Eliza, b. Mar. 12, 1820: married Benjamin Wheeler, May 
I, 1849. Their children were: Eunice E., b. May 10, 
1846. Andrew R., b. Oct. 16, 1848. Sophia G., b. Aug. 
28, 1853. B. Willis, b. Jan. 5, 1866. 

Sophia, b. July 7, 1822; married John Simpson of Saco ; 

2d, Frederick LeBarron. She died . They had 

one child: Emma Simpson, b. in 1851 ; died Oct. 21, 
1856. 

Calvin, b. Feb. 5, 1826; married Susanna Newcomb, of 
Harrison, Jan. 4, 1853. They had one child: Charles 
Dawes, b. ■. 

Orin, b. Jan. 18, 1828; died Sept. i, 1831. 

Levi, b. May 24, 1830; married Angeline Yeaton. They 
had one child: Addie Etta. 

Alanson, b. June 23, 1833 ; married Abbie Melissa, daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Wheeler of Harrison. He was a farm- 
er and wire maker in former years. He is living at 
Harrison Village in excellent health, at the age of 75, 
working regularly as carpenter, house painter and paper 
hanger. Mrs. Melissa (Wheeler) Dawes died Nov. 13, 
1903. Children of Alanson and Melissa Dawes were: 

1. A. Leamon, b. Feb. 20, 1853; married Ella Hapgood 

of Waterford, Me. They had one child: Josephine 
May, b. Mar. 27, 1882. 

2. Horace E., b. Jan. 7, 1855; died Sept. i, 1864. 

3. Emma E., b. Aug. 31, 1856; died Sept. 2, 1864. 

4. John M., b. Sept. 29, 1858; married Millie Wight of 

Otisfield. 2d, Bertha Freeman of Worcester, Mass. 
Children : Horace Eugene, b. . Alanson Free- 
man, b. Aug. 9, 1898. 

5. Nellie A., b. Mar. 25, i860; married Lyman Cobb of 

Windham, Me. ; their children : Percy E., b. . 

6. Lillie E., b. Oct. 11, 1864; married ist, Ernest Bean 

of Mason, Me. ; 2d, John Blair of Des Moines, Iowa. 

7. Ada M., b. Apr. 2, 1872 ; married George Flint of 

Sweden, Me. They have one child : George Har- 
rington, b. Aug. 9, 1 89 1. 

Lois, b. July 28, 1836; died Mar. 19, 1844. 



452 A HISTORY OF THE 

DORMAN FAMILY. 

For almost fifty years past, no family in Harrison has 
a more able or worthy history than that of LEANDER 
DORMAN. He was a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Dav- 
is) Dorman of Bridgton, who moved to Wayne, Kennebec 
County, where he was born April 6, 1825. He resided 
successively in Wayne, Mercer, St. Albans, Hartland and 
Dixfield, where he learned the trade of carriage making 
and carried on that business there several years ; moving 
afterward to Buckfield, and prosecuting his trade there 
successfully, being a skilled workman and noted for the 
reliable quality of all work produced at his factory. He 
married December 5, 1858, Mary Louisa Hawkes (born 
January 16, 1834), daughter of Daniel Hawkes of Minot. 
She had been, in early childhood, adopted into the family 
of Dr. Horace A. Barrows of Bolster's Mills, by whom 
she was treated with all the affectionate care due to a 
natural daughter. She was carefully educated, and be- 
came well fitted to be a teacher in the public schools, in 
which profession she was very successful and popular until 
the time of her marriage. Mr. Dorman removed from 
Buckfield to Harrison, May 13, 1862, succeeding to the 
occupancy of the pleasant homestead of the late foster- 
parents of Mrs. Dorman. There he established again a 
shop for working at his favorite occupation, and to the 
present year he has continued to serve the people of his 
community with great credit and faithfulness. Early and 
late, at the age of eighty-five years the sound of his ham- 
mer at the bench or anvil may be heard by any passers 
by the old shop. Mr. Dorman retains his vigor and ca- 
pacity for hard work to a remarkable degree, and is able 
to carry a bundle of shingles to the roof of a building and 
lay them as neatly and fast as a practised carpenter. In 
his proper trade he excels in both wood and iron work. 
Children : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 453 

Rena Belle, b. in Buckfield, Dec. 2, 1859 ; married Charles 
B. Drake of Squaw Valley, Cal., and resides there. 

Lucy Evelina, b. June 16, 1861, in Buckfield; married 
Arthur Myron Deering of East Denmark, Me., Sept. 4, 
1907. 

Alice M.\y, b. in Harrison, Aug. 4, 1863; married Adel- 
bert C. Buck of Harrison. Children: (See Buck fam- 
ily.) 

Louis Benjamin, b. Feb. 3, 1866, in Harrison. Went to 
Fresno, Cal., Nov. 3, 1887 : lived in Oleander eighteen 
years ; his present address is Fowler, Cal. He married 
Minnie Beha, b. Feb. 21, 1869, in Baden-Baden, Germany. 
They had children: Leander, Jr., b. Jan. 31, 1893. Lou- 
isa A., b. Apr. 14, 1894. Elsie Mabel, b. Nov. 9, 1895. 
Louis B., b. Jan. 3, 1898. Charles E., b. May 27, 1899. 
George R., b. Mar. 3, 1901. Walter A., b. Aug. 10, 
1902. Mrs, Minnie (Beha) Dorman died June 9, 1903. 
Mr. Dorman married 2d, Mrs. J. E. Green of California, 
with four children, three sons and one daughter. Mr. 
Dorman has been engaged in grape growing for making 
raisins, with success, and is situated in a pleasant com 
modious home in the midst of a productive farm. 

Mabel Louisa, b. Apr. 13, 1868; married Sept. 19, 1891, 
Charles Henry Brett of Otisfield. Children : Ethel May, 
b. Oct. 14, 1893. Alice Dorman, b. Sept. 5, 1895. Law- 
rence Henry, b. Oct. 23, 1896. Payson Julian, b. May 
7, 1898. Grace Mabel, b. Dec. 3, 1901. Theodore Roose- 
velt, b. Mar. i, 1904. 

Geneva Augusta, b. Aug. 27, 1870; married in 1897, 
Dr. Leon D. Wight of Gorham, N. H. They had two 
children. 

Fanny Amanda, b. Oct. 24, 1872 ; married Dr. Edward A. 
Wight of Harrison, Dec. 27, 1894. Their children were : 
Edith May, b. in Harrison, Nov. 2, 1895 ; died Oct. 8, 
1900. Donald Gordon, b. Nov. 6, 1896. Josephine 
Louise, b. Sept. 18, 1898. Paul, b. July 25, 1900; died 
in infancy. Edward Leander, b. Oct. 12, 1904. 



454 A HISTORY OF THE 

PHILIP EASTMAN. 

PHILIP EASTMAN, son of Asa Eastman, was born in 
Chatham, New Hampshire, February 5, 1799, died in Saco, 
Maine, August 7, 1869. He married July 23, 1827, Mary 
Ambrose (born in Concord, New Hampshire, July 23, 
1802), daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Eastman) Am- 
brose. 

Mr. Eastman graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820, 
A. B. He was admitted to the bar in 1823, and commenced 
practice in North Yarmouth, Maine, where he remained 
till 1836, when he removed to Harrison. He remained 
in Harrison till 1847, when he removed to Saco, Maine, 
where he formed a law partnership with his old classmate, 

Mr. Bradbury, and remained in the practice of 

his profession until his death. 

He was actively interested in town, county, and State 
affairs, and was often called to stations of honor and re- 
sponsibility. In politics he was a Democrat : was chair- 
man of the Board of County Commissioners for Cumber- 
land County from 1831 to 1837; was elected to the State 
Senate in 1840-42, and in 1840 was chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Revision of the Statutes, and superintended the 
publication of the work. In 1842, he was appointed chair- 
man of the Commission on the part of Maine to locate 
grants in the territory which had been claimed by Great 
Britain in the northern part of the State. In 1849, he 
published a Digest of the first twenty-six volumes of 
the Maine reports. He was a member of the Maine His- 
torical Society, and was for several years a Trustee of 
Bowdoin College. For six years prior to his death he was 
President of the old bank, which is now the Saco National. 
He was closely identified with the social and business in- 
terests of the city of his residence. Children : 

Ellen J., b. in North Yarmouth, Jan. 28, 1829, died in 
Saco, Aug., 1904. 




(. HARLKS I'AKLKY 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 455 

Ambrose, b. in North Yarmouth, Apr. i8, 1834; married 
Charlotte S. Haines. He graduated from Bowdoin Col- 
lege in class of 1854; received A. M. degree in 1857; 
practiced law in Saco until his removal to Boston in 
1859. He continued in practice at the latter place until 
his death in 1903. 

Edward, b. in Harrison, April 3, 1837 ; died in Saco, 
July 5, 1882. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 
class of 1857, A. B. He was elected to the State Leg- 
islature in 1876, as a Democrat ; was Trustee of the Saco 
Savings Bank, Director of the Saco National Bank, and 
Trustee of Thornton Academy. He married in Balti- 
more, June 2, 1869, Nellie Chase (b. in Saco, Aug. 23, 
1843), daughter of Amos and Frances (Akerman) Chase, 
and had children as follows : Philip, b. Apr. 23, 1869, 
and died in Aug. of the same year. Chase, b. Sept. 12, 
1874, graduated from Bowdoin College, A. B., class of 
1896, and from Harvard Law School in 1899, L. C. B. ; 
was member of Phi Beta Kappa, and Delta Kappa Ep- 
silon, respectively ; is now practicing law in Portland, 
Me. 

Hon. Philip Eastman, who is well remembered by a 
few Harrison people yet living, was tall, finely proportioned 
in form, and of handsome face and agreeable manners. He 
was universally respected for his high moral and profes- 
sional character, and his kindly disposition as a neighbor. 
He was eminently deserving of all the civic honors con- 
ferred upon him. g p 



CHARLES FARLEY. 

Mr. Charles Farley was for many years a prominent 
business man of Harrison, and many now living recollect 
him well. The following sketch was prepared by his son, 
Cyrus Farley, Esq., of Portland. 

CHARLES FARLEY, who built up the wire business 
in Harrison from very small beginnings, was born in Ips- 



456 A HISTORY OF THE 

wich, Massachusetts, June 14, 1791, and was descended 
from Michael Farley, who came to that town in 1676, 
as the agent of Sir Richard Saltonstall of London, to 
establish a woolen mill in that town, the first of the kind 
in this country. The Parleys for two generations pre- 
vious had been woolen weavers of high standing, and Sir 
Richard selected Michael to establish the business in the 
New World. The business in Ipswich finally came under 
the ownership of the Parleys, and was continued by their 
descendents for many years. 

At the opening of the Revolutionary War, one of the 
brothers then in control lost no time in getting a musket 
on his shoulder, and was in the fight at Bunker Hill. That 
musket, with his initials carved on the stock, has been rev- 
erently preserved, and now ornaments the wall of a sit- 
ting room in Portland, Maine. The spirit of '76 must 
have been more intense in those days than some of us in 
these peaceful times are able to realize. As indicating 
this spirit it may be interesting to mention the reverence 
ever afterward shown this brother who had enlisted for 
the war. At its close he returned to Ipswich, and being 
unmarried, he made his home with the brother who still 
carried on the mill. He was always treated like a guest, 
and no matter who might be at the table, lady or gentleman, 
he was always helped first. 

Charles, the subject of this sketch, at the age of fourteen 
went to Salem, Massachusetts, to learn the trade of silver- 
smith of Robert Brookhouse, who afterwards became a weal- 
thy Past Indian merchant, and whose name will long be 
preserved in the memorials that he left to that town. 
Young Farley's apprenticeship was after the custom of 
those days, when boys were "bound out" for seven years, 
the compensation being board and forty dollars per year. 
In those days there was little capital, and labor was the 
only source of wealth. It was the purpose of the mastei 
to get all he could, and not to give too much in return. It 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 457 

was held to be a privilege of the master to flog the boys 
for any misconduct, or inattention to business, and, though 
young Farley himself escaped this affliction as far as known, 
he has been heard to say of one boy, that after his punish- 
ment he blubbered out the consolation that "He had but 
six years, eleven months, and a fortnight longer to serve." 
In other respects young Farley's experience was not unlike 
that of the others. Corn meal in difl:'erent forms was the 
principal food, and the richest drink furnished was "shells." 
We all know what corn meal is, though perhaps not for a 
steady diet, but few of us know what a mean, insipid, and 
musty drink is made from boiled cocoa shells. If any 
of the boys did not like this there was always a plenty 
of water. But such hard fare was not unfavorable to 
the development of a good constitution. Though Mr. Far- 
ley lived to the age of eighty-six he was never sick, and 
never needed the services of the dentist. The only tooth 
that he ever lost was kicked out by a horse, and it was 
no gentle kick, either, for he ever after carried the scar 
at the corner of his mouth, and it can be seen in his pic- 
ture. 

He was in singing school in Salem on that eventful 
evening when Skipper Ireson, "tarred and feathered, and 
put in a cart," was brought up from Alarblehead. It broke 
up the singing school for that evening, and probably put 
an end to young Farley's musical education, for he never 
could sing. He did not live long enough to hear Ireson's 
name vindicated, and the blame put upon the crew. The 
historian of Marblehead resents the charge put upon Ire- 
son, and says that, to the crew, and not to Ireson, belongs 
the blame for the cruel act. As there was but one skipper, 
and a numerous crew, all of whom were presumably resi- 
dents of the town, it does not appear to be a very desirable 
vindication of the town's character, as it acquits one, and 
accuses twenty : but it has the merit of being a friendly 
act towards Ireson. 



458 A HISTORY OF THE 

At the expiration of his apprenticeship, I\Ir. Farley moved 
to Portland, and established himself in the same business 
at which he had been working — that of silversmith. The 
long hours of labor to which he had been accustomed were 
continued by him in his own shop. There were no eight 
or ten-hour days in those times, but mechanics worked as 
farmers do, early and late. It was nearly fifty years later 
before a ten-hour day was established for mechanics, and 
the Deering Block on the corner of Congress and Preble 
streets, Portland, was the first building erected under that 
law. In those days there was no machinery used in making 
silver spoons, or other silver ware, and it was all hard work, 
but Mr. Farley was one of the kind that never tired. 

While he was engaged in the silversmith business his 
brother-in-law, Cyrus Hamlin, went from Waterford, Me., 
to learn the trade with him, but, after two years' work, he 
decided to study for the ministry, and he was for thirty- 
five years a missionary in Turkey, and was the builder 
and president of Robert College on the Bosphorus. His 
mechanical experience must have been a great help to 
Hamlin, for while he was a student at Bowdoin College 
he made the first steam engine ever built in Maine, and 
used it in illustrating his lectures on the steam engine, de- 
livered in different parts of the State. The subject was 
new then, and interested everybody. He was able a few 
years later to set up, in the Sultan's Palace in Constan- 
tinople, a telegraph line, and explain its workings. The en- 
gine which he made is still preserved in the museum at 
Bowdoin College. 

Mr. Farley did not long continue in the silversmith busi- 
ness. Some fortunate investments in the Cuban trade led 
him away into that more rapid way of making money. 
In this business he made money as fast as did others at 
that time. But there came a sudden and unexpected change. 
"Cornering the market" is not a modern trick. A mer- 
chant, who had obtained Mr. Farley's endorsement for 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 459 

eighty thousand dollars, thought that he could corner the 
molasses market, but finding himself "cornered" with no 
hope of escape, jumped into the Kennebec and drowned 
himself, leaving his kind endorser to pay the eighty thou- 
sand. This he was able to do, and did as fast as the notes 
matured without having a single attachment put on his 
property, though there was then no bankrupt law, and 
the "grab game" was the rule. 

Two things in connection with this loss are worthy of 
note. He was never heard to utter a regret over the loss, 
and none could ever be extorted from him. This indiffer- 
ence was not feigned, for he held "life to be more than 
meat," and often said that he had no desire to leave a for- 
tune ; that inherited wealth wrecked almost all who re- 
ceived it. His religion was of the most stalwart and sin- 
cere kind, and controlled his whole life seven days in 
the week. His character was doubtless much influenced 
by the preaching of Dr. Payson, whose church he joined 
soon after taking up his abode in Portland. No other 
man stood so high in his estimation. He often praised 
sermons highly, but always qualified his praise by saying, 
"not since Dr. Payson's day." 

After the loss from endorsing he had another — the loss 
of a vessel at sea — which nearly impoverished him. He 
then moved to Waterford, and tried farming, but his im- 
patient nature could not wait for things to grow. In 1844, 
he moved to Harrison, and began the building up of the 
business at the wire factory. This was a great help to 
the town, at that time, employing many men, and bringing 
in much money from outside sources. It was also a busi- 
ness of great interest, especially to a stranger, to watch 
the process, and see wire as it was drawn from a small 
coil of quarter inch iron through a series of dies without 
a break, until, in many instances, it made a coil fully 
five miles in length. Among those who worked in the 
factory the writer recalls the names of Frank Walker, 



460 A HISTORY OF THE 

John Caswell, Aaron Smith, Joshua Gray, and "Deacon" 
Joe Tuttle, the interesting narrator of his experiences in 
the Florida War. Some of these men contributed their 
share to the debating society that met over Nelson's, or 
lUsley's store, on the corner, where they discussed such 
subjects as, "Which is the most useful member of society, 
the farmer or the mechanic?" Both sides usually won. 

In addition to the wire factory, IMr. Farley had a grist 
mill in which he ground wheat and corn for the farmers 
throughout Harrison and other towns, and a saw-mill 
where he cut much lumber for the Portland market. This 
lumber was carried in the canal boats, with which Long 
Pond was then alive. The writer remembers that a new 
canal boat, before it was soiled with cargo, took nearly 
the whole town out on a Fourth of July sail. The wind 
was strong and squally, and, as these boats carried no bal- 
last, it occurred to some after the excitement of the day 
was over, that the town took a risk that it would not be 
well to repeat. To the boys of those days those boat-i 
were the largest vessels that they had ever seen, and they 
were often thrilled with the stories of storm and adventure 
on the lakes and canal. The writer has been on board of 
the famous "Great Eastern," but was not so much impressed 
as he was by the first sight of the Steamer "Fawn," as she 
came up to the wharf on her maiden trip, under the command 
of Capt. C. C. W. Sampson. 

Mr. Farley's puritan spirit looked with disfavor upon 
certain kinds of sport on Sundays, and his efforts for a 
quiet and orderly day did not make him popular with a 
certain class. They showed their resentment on one oc- 
casion by printing and circulating some verses ridiculing 
his efforts in this direction. But not being an office-seeker, 
and having no special use for popularity, he did not mind 
this. He had a dog, Ponto, that seemed to be in thorough 
sympathy with his master on this point. A more peaceable 
dog than he was could not be found on six days of the 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 461 

week, but if he saw a man go by the house on Sunday in 
his shirt sleeves, or otherwise give evidence of his disregard 
of the day, his disapproval was both marked, and barked. 
Mr. Farley was not averse to legitimate amusement, and 
no man had a heartier laugh. 

The only sail boat of any size on the pond at that time 
was one which he brought from Portland, and which was 
originally built for lightering vessels in Cuba, and was ca- 
pable of carrying five hogsheads of molasses at a time. 
He took great pleasure in sailing this boat on the pond, 
though her safety was more highly praised than her speed. 
He delighted in the water, and was an expert swimmer. 
On one occasion, when dressed for church, a call for help 
came from a wharf in Portland, where a boy had fallen 
overboard. He plunged in head first, and found the boy 
on the bottom, and brought him to the surface, and to 
life. 

He kept no one in the dark as to his position on any 
subject. The Maine Law found in him an earnest and sin- 
cere supporter. It gave much amusement to the "rummies" 
to learn that the large annealing pots used in the wire 
factory, and which he used to have hauled from Portland 
in winter on sleds, furnished a very convenient cover for 
smuggling in a barrel of rum. Some time later, Xeal Dow, 
in writing about the devices resorted to for evading the 
law, mentioned this trick, and referred to his friend, Mr. 
Farley, as the "wine manufacturer" of Harrison. The 
substitution of an "n" for an "r" may have been due to the 
compositor's poor eyesight, or to his love for a joke. 

It is presumed that the dams between the two ponds have 
been strengthened since those early days, when they were 
a source of anxiet}- at every time of high water. This 
anxiety would sometimes last for a week, and every un- 
usual noise or outcry in the streets would turn the thoughts 
at once to the dams. One night, after a day of much 
worry, two cats got into a fight over in Mr. Farley's wood- 



462 A HISTORY OF THE 

shed, and in their gyrations they knocked a brass kettle 
down the back stairs. This waked Mr. Farley very sud- 
denly, and he leaped from bed, exclaiming : "The dams 
have gone now." 

In 1855, other reverses came upon Mr. Farley, precipi- 
tated mainly by the failure of parties in Boston to whom 
he had formerly rendered much assistance, and again he 
had the opportunity to "take joyfully the spoiling of his 
goods." This ended his career in Harrison, and he moved 
back to Portland, and later to Boston, where he died in 
1877, aged eighty-six years. 



FERNALD FAMILY. 

This family, several members of which have resided in 
Harrison for many years, were the children and grand- 
children of TIMOTHY FERNALD, born in Kittery, 
Maine. May 5, 1777. He came to Otisfield several years 
before 1800, to work in the construction of mills for Dr. 
David Ray, one of the earliest settlers who erected the first 
saw and grist mills at the outlet of Saturday Pond, in 1781. 

He married Betsey Whiting Ray, the third daughter of 
Dr. David and Eunice (Whiting) Ray, and settled on a 
farm about a quarter of a mile from the Ray homestead, 
on the road leading to the "Hill." Mis. Betsy W. Fernald, 
wife of Timothy, was born October 3, 1781, in the house 
built by her father one year before, about a half mile west 
of Edes's (then Peirce's Falls) on Crooked River in Otis- 
field — now Naples. She was the first female child born 
in the township after its first settlement in 1775. She died 
in Otisfield, December 22, 1843. 

Dr. David Ray was one of the leading citizens in pro- 
moting the settlement of the new township and a close 
friend and coadjutor of George Peirce, Esq., the first set- 
tler. He was a veteran officer of the War of the American 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 46.^ 

Revolution. Before the war, he was a heutenant in the 
colonial militia, and was a member of a company of minute- 
men which was ordered into action on the memorable 19th 
of April, 1775, the day of the first bloodshed at Lexington. 
He served in several of the most important campaigns of the 
war in New England and New York, during the first five 
years, one of them being a si.x months' campaign under 
General Gates at Ticonderoga, in 1776. Dr. Ray was a 
pensioner at the rate of $103 per annum from March 4, 
1813 to the time of his death, December i, 1822. Mrs. 
Eunice Ray died July 4, 1843, aged ninety-six years, ten 
months, twenty-two days. 

Timothy Fernald was a skilled carpenter and millwright 
and was builder of many mills and dwellings in Otisfield 
and other towns. He and his son, Otis, erected and finished 
the "Free meeting-house" in Otisfield in 1828, situated near 
the Ray homestead. The children of Timothy and Betsey 
W. Fernald were: Miriam, Otis, Betsy, Eli, Mary, Emily, 
John Colby, and Albert Lewis. Of these eight children, 
five of them have, for longer or shorter periods, been resi- 
dents of Harrison. 

Otis Fernald, born May 2, 1802, married March 26, 
1827, Sally, daughter of Benjamin and Betty (Hancock) 
Wight of Otisfield. The father of Mrs. Betty Wight was 
Lieutenant Joseph Hancock, a "minute-man" and veteran 
officer in the war of the Revolution, who settled early in 
Otisfield. Otis settled first on the homestead of his father 
in 1827, where his children were born. In 1838, the family 
moved to Bolster's Mills, where Mr. Fernald erected a 
dwelling house and barn and continued to reside there 
until 1867, when he sold his homestead to Benjamin Skill- 
ings and removed to Scribner's Mills in Harrison. During 
all his residence at Bolster's Mills, he carried on farming 
to some extent, but continued the trade of carpenter and 
builder for many years and in connection therewith did 
much work in carriage and sleigh making. 



464 A HISTORY OF THE 

In early life, he embraced religion and became a member 
of the Second Freewill Baptist Church in Otisfield, and 
was clerk of that church for a number of years. He was 
always, wherever he lived, a firm supporter of the faith 
of that church and of the preaching of the gospel. During 
his residence at Bolster's Mills, he was a leading promoter 
of all movements for educational and social improvement, 
and was fearless in the advocacy of all measures to ad- 
vance the cause of temperance and sobriety among the 
people of the community and State. He was one of the 
first three men in Otisfield to vote a "free-soil" ticket in 
the early days of political anti-slavery. He was a charter 
member, in 1855, of Crooked River Division, Sons of 
Temperance, a member of the Grand Division and was 
a most strenuous and faithful laborer in that association. 
He was for years, an honored member of Oriental Lodge of 
Masons in Bridgton, and after the organization of Crooked 
River Lodge at Bolster's Mills, transferred his membership 
to that lodge by demit. He was a worthy and esteemed 
member of Crooked River Grange, P. of H. In earlier 
years, Mr. Fernald had been a bearer of several military 
titles, viz. : Ensign, lieutenant and captain in the Otisfield 
Light Infantry, under commissions from the Governor of 
the State. He resigned his captaincy in or about 1836, 
and was never afterward connected with the militia. 

Captain Fernald retained his lively interest in public af- 
fairs and in matters of local and general history, to the 
last years of his life and he was accustomed to engage 
in the discussions of those subjects by contributions to 
the local newspaper press, to which his letters were always 
acceptable. Mrs. Sally W. Fernald was a woman of fine 
intellect, which was cultivated by her advantages of school- 
ing in youth, and by the culture which comes from much 
reading. She was, with her husband, a devoted member 
of the Freewill Baptist Church and a most exemplary Chris- 
tian wife, mother and beloved neighbor. In consequence 




Granville Fernald 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 465 

of a painful accident which occurred about 1862, she was 
made a cripple for the rest of her life, which disability 
she bore with serene patience and fortitude. She died at 
her residence in Scribner's Mills, August 23, 1883. Cap- 
tain Otis Fernald died at Bolster's Mills, May 24, i88q, 
aged eighty-seven years, twenty-two days. The children of 
Otis and Sally W. Fernald were : 

Granville, b. Jan. 23, 1828, in Otisfield: married ist, 
Elizabeth Reed Waterhouse, daughter of Stephen and 
Lydia (Hicks) Waterhouse of Harrison, b. Nov. 15, 1831 ; 
died Nov. 23, 1851. They had a son, George Grovenor, 
b. Apr. 24. 1851 ; died Oct. 23, 1851. He married 2d, 
Mar. 26, 1854, Elizabeth Ellen, daughter of Charles and 
Sally (Barbour) Walker of Harrison, b. Apr. 11, 1828; 
died Jan. 6, 1908. (See Walker family.) Their chil- 
dren were : 

1. Amy Elizabeth, b. in Harrison, July 26, 1855 ; mar- 

Lewis F. Dudley of Waterford ; they resided first, 
in South Waterford ; removed in 1879 to Glendale, 
Md. ; after a few years, settling at Takoma Park, 
D. C. ; their children are : Annie Maude, b. in Water- 
ford, Apr. 23, 1877; died in Glendale, Md., in 
1880. Florence May, b. in Waterford, Apr. 28, 
1879. Charles Fiske. b. May 22, 1880. Lewis Free- 
man, b. July 25, 1881. Fred William, b. Mar. 4, 
1883. Frank Howard, b. Dec. 16, 1885. Amy Eliz- 
abeth, b. Apr. 30, 1887; died in Takoma Park, D. C. 
Ella Marie, b. Nov. 2, 1889. All the above named 
children of Amy E. and Lewis F. Dudley, excepting 
two. were born in Maryland, Virginia, and in Dis- 
trict of Columbia, and all excepting two, deceased, 
reside in Washington, D. C. 

2. Ellen May, second daughter of Granville and Eliza- 

beth E. Fernald, was born in Harrison, June i, 1859; 
married J. Frank Howard of Waterford, Sept. 9, 
1879, and resides at South Waterford. 

Granville Fernald was bred to the farm, but since the 
age of fifteen has followed several useful occupations. He 
worked at the building trade with his father, a number of 



466 A HISTORY OF THE 

years. He was educated in the common and high schools 
of his town, and at Bethel Academy, where he was teacher 
of penmanship in 1850. About 185 1, he took up the house 
and carriage painting business which he carried on a num- 
ber of years in Harrison, Otisfield, Bridgton and adjoin- 
ing towns. From 1854 to 1862, he served as assistant clerk 
in the office of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, in 
Portland (including one legislative term of service in 1858, 
in the office of the Secretary of State in Augusta as en- 
grossing clerk). In September, 1862, he enlisted as a 
member of company B, 23d Regiment, Maine Infantry, in 
which command, and in the Veteran Reserve Corps of the 
Volunteers (by appointment of the president) he served 
successively and in two commissions as Second Lieutenant 
and Captain, respectively, until July, 1864, when his ser- 
vice as an officer of Volunteers terminated by resignation 
and honorable discharge from the service. 

Captain Fernald has had a varied career since the close 
of the Civil War. His activities have been devoted at 
different times to farming, in which the subject of practi- 
cal fruit culture received some special attention. For twen- 
ty years of the period, ending 1886, he was much engaged 
in teaching classes in vocal music, operating successfully in 
many of the principal towns in Cumberland, Oxford and 
Androscoggin Counties. For twenty years ending in 1906, 
he resided in Philadelphia and Washington, District of 
Columbia, during about ten years of which time, he was 
in the civil service of the War Department and Department 
of the Interior, respectively. He has, from quite early in 
life, been addicted to the habit of writing for the local and 
State newspapers — The Portland Transcript, The Bridgton 
News, Lewiston Journal and Norxvay Advertiser, as news 
reporter and has been an occasional contributor of sketches 
of persons of note and of historic events for the Evening 
Star and Daily Post of Washington, the Boston Globe, Jour- 
nal, and of articles and poems for the American Citizen 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 467 

of Boston and other dailies and weeklies. His other literary 
work is in the line of addresses before various societies 
and a notable pamphlet on the "First Defenders" of the 
national capital, in 1861. His latest work has been as as- 
sistant compiler of the Centennial History of Harrison, 
Maine. 

Osborne, second son of Otis, b. Aug. 24, 1829 ; married 
Nov. 23, 1856, Hannah E. Stockman of Harrison; she 
died in Otisfield, Sept. i, 1862: they had a son, Gustavus 
Stockman, b. Nov. 11, 1857. in Otisfield. He had few 
advantages for education besides those afforded by the 
common schools of the rural districts in Maine and a 
limited time in the ^Mechanic Falls high school. While 
residing in Portland in the early 70's, he entered the 
law office of Mattocks & Fox as office boy, errand boy, 
general utility boy, and from that time his practical 
acquaintance with the profession commenced, which, com- 
bined with his gradual introduction to the theory and 
science of the law by study of the standard text books 
on the subject, enabled him to graduate at the age of 21, 
as a capable and well equipped lawyer. He married Sept. 
24, 1878, Gertrude Whittier, daughter of Joseph H. and 
Eliza R. (Witham) Buckman of Portland, b. Aug. 12, 
1857. Their first child, Frank Osborne, was b. in Port- 
land, June 25, 1880. In 1882, Mr. Fernald moved with 
his family to Minnesota and located at Brainard, in Mar. 
of the same year. In 1883, he became local attorney for 
the Northern Pacific R. R. Co. In 1890, he was appointed 
to the legal department of the company, acting as special 
counsel, with office in St. Paul with supervision of the tax 
and real estate business of the company and right-of-way 
to the Pacific Coast. He remained in the service of the 
N. P. R. R. Co. fifteen years at St. Paul ; in all twenty- 
three years. In 1905, he came into the service of the 
Pullman Car Company, as Assistant General Solicitor, at 
the company's office in Chicago. 

1. Frank O., eldest son of Gustavus and Gertrude Fer- 
nald is a graduate of the University of Minnesota in 
civil engineering, and has been since then in the ser- 
vice of the Northern Pacific R. R. Co., as engineer of 
construction and as assistant to the chief engineer. 
He resides at Livingston, Montana. 



468 A HISTORY OF THE 

2. Robert Witham, second son of Gustavus, b. in Brain- 
ard, Feb. 6, i886, is a graduate of the University 
of Minnesota and a law student in University of Chi- 
cago. 

Osborne Fernald married January — , i860, for second 
wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail (Wales) 
Kennard of Bridgton. They resided principally in Boston, 
West Medford and in Portland. Mr. Fernald's occupation 
was carpenter and contractor for building. He was for fif- 
teen years a solicitor for life insurance under C. F. Dunlap, 
agent for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co. He was wide- 
ly and very favorably known as an upright and thoroughly 
honest man, had a large circle of acquaintances and loyal 
friends. His death occurred August 12, 1906. Mrs. Eliz- 
abeth Fernald survives him and resides in Woodfords, Port- 
land. 

Eli, 3d son of Otis, b. Sept. 20, 1831, was a bright school 
boy, and became, early in life, a proficient penman and 
bookkeeper, serving in that capacity for Sanborn & Car- 
ter, booksellers and publishers in Portland, several years 
in the 50's. He was subsequently appointed accountant 
and paymaster of the Hill Manufacturing Company of 
Lewiston. He married, Nov. 22, 1855, Sarah Capen 
Cobb of New Gloucester. They had a daughter, Nettie 
Florence, b. Nov. 26, 1858, in Lewiston. Eli's death oc- 
curred in Lewiston, Sept. i, 1861. Mrs. Sarah C. Fer- 
nald subsequently became the wife of Lewis Wight of 
Portland, of the present firm of Wight Brothers of Bos- 
ton. Miss Florence Fernald resides in Brookline, Mass., 
as the inseparable companion of her mother and step- 
father, who are both invalids. 

Nathaniel Scribner, 4th son of Otis, was a farmer boy 
until past his majority. He was a number of years in 
the tinware trade and hack driver in Portland and vi- 
cinity ; afterward for about twenty-five years, in the 
livery stable business of the firm of Fernald & Sawyer 
of Portland. Flis connection with that firm ceased in 
1895. He married Aug. i, i860, Frances O. Strout of 
Limington, Me., b. Dec. 29, 1838. They had a son, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 469 

Charles Otis, b. May 5, 1862; died Sept. 23, 1862. Mrs. 
F"rances O. Fernald died Feb. 13, 1863. 

Nathan S. Fernald married 2d, February 2, 1864, Susan 
J., daughter of Greenleaf and Anna Wiggin of Portland, 
born Januar)- 23, 1844. Children: 

1. Fred Lincoln, b. Apr. 15, 1865; died Feb. 15, 1868. 

2. Herbert Jaques, b. June 2, 1867; married Oct. 23, 

1890, Annie Laurie Tuthill of Moravia, Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., b. June i. 1865. Children: Hector Tuthill, 
b. Sept. 5, 1897. Annie Laurie, b. Jan. i, 1903 : they 
reside in Moravia, N. Y. Mr. Fernald is a commer- 
cial traveller from New York City. 

3. Annie Eloise, b. Oct. 14, 1868 ; died Oct. 20, 1869. 

4. Arthur Burr, b. Nov. 5, 1870; married Feb. 4, 1896, 

Grace B. Wetmore of Glenn's Falls, N. Y. ; no chil- 
dren ; they reside in New York City ; he is a sales- 
man in the employ of Rogers, Peet & Co. 

5. Alice Marie, b. June 15, 1874; she is an accomplished 

stenographer and is employed by the Fidelity Trust 
Company of Portland; is unmarried. 



FOGG FAMILY. 

MOSES FOGG, the father of the large and well-known 
Harrison family of that name was born in Scarborough, 
February 15, 1782. He came to Harrison about 1830, or 
before. He married Sally Brackett of Gorham, born Au- 
gust 15, 1788. Eight of their children were born in Scar- 
borough, as follows : 

Mehitable, b. June 18. 181 1; married ist, Gershom Win- 
ship of Otisfield ; 2d, Duganne ; she died in 1878. 

James B., b. Apr. 5, 1812 ; married Ruth Carsley of Bridg- 
ton ; died Sept. 27, 1842 : his wife died Nov., 1845. 
Their son, Francis B., b. in 1842, died in 1900. 

Ann.\, b. June 14, 1814: married James Goff of Auburn; 
she died Oct. 21, 1889. 



470 A HISTORY OF THE 

Jonathan, b. June 29, 1816; married Harriet Plaisted 
of Harrison : they lived many years in Bridgton, where 
Mr. Fogg was one of the proprietors of the large Bridg- 
ton Tannery; he died Oct. 31, 1889. 

Elizabeth, b. Aug. i, 1818; married Orin Storer of 
Florence, Mass. She died Sept. 2, 1875. 

Joseph, b. Aug. 8, 1820; married Elsie Estes of Bethel, 
b. in Bethel, July 6, 1826; they settled in Harrison Vil- 
lage, where their children were born : 

1. James Gilbert, b. Mar. 25, 1850: married Carrie 

Brooks of Otisfield ; children : Frank, Cora, May, 
Clifford. Frank married Nellie Davis of Bridgton. 
They have two children : Gladys and Edna. Cora 
married George Barrett of West Paris. May mar- 
ried Olie E. Payne of Weld, Me. 

2. Lizzie, b. May 8, 1852; married John B. Tibbetts 

of Harrison; they have one son, Walter W., b. 
Mar. 29, 1878. 

3. Alfred, b. Oct. i, 1854; married Ora Lovejoy of 

Bethel : they have one child : Carrie. They reside 
at Rumford Falls, Me. 

Sarah, b. July 12, 1822 ; married James Thyng of Win- 
chester, Mass. ; she died Mar. 5, 1890. 

David, b. Jan. 8, 1825 ; married, Jan. 26, 1856, Maria 
Fitch of Bridgton, b. in Bridgton, June 22, 1832 ; Mr. 
Fogg died Jan. 7, 1885. Their children: 
I. Richard W., b. Aug. 8. 1858; married. May 23, 
1881, Minnie M. L. DeWitt, b. in Windham, Aug. 
4, 1861. Children: Prentiss H., b. in Harrison, 
Feb. 2, 1884. Zilla M., b. in Harrison, June 13, 
1889. Villa M., b. in Harrison, Feb. 5, 1892. El- 
mer W., b. in Harrison, Sept. 12, 1897. 

Harriet, b. in Harrison, June 23, 183 1 ; married Henry 
Symmes of Winchester, Mass. ; she died Feb. 16, 1888. 

Frances H., b. June 17, 1833; married Marshall Gibbs, of 
Bridgton ; they have long resided in the vicinity of 
Norway Village, Me. Their present address is South 
Paris, Me. 

Melinda, b. Oct. 12. 1836; married Plummer Libby of 
Harrison; died Jan. 21, 1894. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 471 

FOGG FAMILY NO. 2. 

JOSEPH FOGG came from Limington to Harrison ear- 
ly, and settled near Island Pond, near the home of Robert 
Lamb. He married Lydia . They had children, be- 
lieved to have been born in Limington : 

John W., b. Mar. 27, 1803; died Feb. 22, 1887; he mar- 
ried Cushman of Oxford, Me. ; lived near foot of 

Burnham Hill in Woodsum neighborhood, Harrison ; they 
had children : 

1. James Addison, b. Dec. 22, 1834. 

2. Sarah, b. in 1836. 

3. Levi, b. in 1838. 

4. Emily; married Elias I. Fogg; 2d, Stevens. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 25, 1805; died June 18, 1896; married 
; she died June 18, 1896. 

Elias, b. Dec. 31, 1806, settled on Gilson Hill, on the farm 
owned by Cyrus Haskell for many years, and where Wil- 
liam Haskell now lives. He married Rich of Har- 
rison. They had one daughter: Adaline, who married 
Charles Gilson. They moved South. 

Olive, b. , 1814; died young. 

James W., b. Mar. 23, 1812; died Oct. 4, 1865: he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of William and Sarah (Hobbs) 
Brackett of Harrison ; she died Mar. 28, 1878 : their chil- 
dren were : 

1. George Sumner, b. July 4, 1838; died Oct. 7, 1887; 
married Georgianna Hall of Waterford, Nov. 18, 
1869. They had one daughter : Berthie, b. Sept. 7, 
1871 ; married George N. Anthoine, Oct. 22, 1890; 
they have one daughter : Faith Fogg, b. Oct. 7, 1900. 

2. Mary Francia : married Sewell Millett of Waterford ; 
their children ; Lizzie E. Mary M. ; married Wm. 
J. Peircy ; children : Harold Millet, b. Nov. 16, 
1886. Hattie, who married Frank L. Parker. Sybil 
Arvesta ; unmarried. 



472 A HISTORY OF THE 

FOSTER FAMILY. 

BENJAMIN FOSTER, who settled in Otisfield about 
the beginning of the last century, was the third son of 
Asael Foster who came from Danvers, Massachusetts, to 
Bridgton, Maine, in 1772. "He (Asael) built the first 
frame house in Bridgton and his wife was the first married 
woman who settled in that town." (See Ridlon's history 
of Harrison.) Benjamin, a Harrison pioneer, purchased 
land of Major Thomas Perley, bordering on Crooked River, 
and established a good homestead. He married Nancy 
Veasey of Denmark. He planted twelve acres of corn on 
burnt land, the first year of his residence in the new settle- 
ment. Some years afterward, he had a small grocery and 
variety store which was continued for years, being distin- 
guished as the first store in the tozvn. Many interesting 
reminiscenses and amusing anecdotes have been preserved 
concerning the customs of that time in which Captain Fos- 
ter's store and the old-time river drivers, as well as other 
frequenters of the primitive grocery, have a conspicuous 
part. Captain Foster's residence was a little way south 
of the present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
South Harrison, on the road leading to Edes's Falls in 
Naples. Here he raised a family of six sons and two 
daughters. 

Amos P., b. in Otisfield, Oct. 11, 1804; married Ann 
Knight, daughter of Stephen and Ann (Huston) Knight 
of Otisfield. He was a farmer, living many years on 
the "Pond road," a half a mile south of the famous home- 
stead of Col. Amos Thomes and family. Mr. Foster 
and wife were excellent citizens and greatly esteemed for 
their social and neighborly qualities. They had children: 

1. Benjamin; married Susan E. Clark; settled on the 
homestead of his father and had two children, Rose 
and Clara. 

2. Abigail ; deceased in childhood. 

3. Ann ; lived at home with her parents ; unmarried ; 
deceased. 



TOWN OF HARRISOX. 473 

4. Katherine ; married S. Dexter Andrews of Otisfield ; 
resided at Spurr's Corner, Otisfield, a number of 
years, afterward moved to Norway. 

Benjamin S., b. June 25, 1806 ; married Esther Cushman, 
Jan. 15, 1832; settled in Harrison, on the paternal home- 
stead and died there April 14, 1867. They had three 
sons: 

1. Cyrus K., b. Jan. 12. 1832 ; married Mary E. Mer- 
row, Nov. 12, i860; settled in Harrison, and had 
children: Cora E., b. July 17, 1861. George P., b. 
Jan. 14, 1864. Nellie W., b. Aug. 28, 1865, and an 
infant child : all deceased. 

2. Ezra T., b. May 11, 1834: married Marilla Merrow, 

1861 ; no children. 

3. Charles W., b. Feb. 3, 1836; married Frances A. 

Libby, daughter of Amos and Jane (Phinney) Lib- 
by, Feb. 8, 1859 ; settled on the homestead of his 
father ; removed to Bridgton ; was a carpenter by 
trade ; in his mature years, he became a preacher 
in the Free Baptist Church, in which his labors were 
useful and acceptable wherever he preached. He 
was stationed at Phillips, Me., a number of years 
but removed to Massachusetts and died in Cotuit, 
Mass. They had children: Susie S., b. June 25, 
1865. Charlie, b. Oct. 10, 1866. Nellie L., b. July 
20, 1868, and Walter. Charles was killed in a rail- 
road accident in Massachusetts. 

Abigail L., b. May 25, 1808: no other information. 

Thomas V., b. Dec. 17, 1810; married ist. Mary Ann, 
daughter of Elder Clement Phinney, June 8. 1828; 2d, 
Alwilda G. Foster, Nov. 29, 1850. His children, all by 
first wife, were: 

1. Stephen; married Emma Robinson; deceased. 

2. Emeline ; married Purington of Lynn, Mass ; 

deceased. 

3. Abigail ; married Eben Leach of Portland. 

4. Adaline ; married Augustus Barker. 

5. Martha ; married Frank Rowell of Harrison. 

Nancy, b. Aug. 25. 1813 ; no further record. 



474 A HISTORY OF THE 

Lowell \'alextine, b. Aug. 7, 1815; married ist, Julia 
E., daughter of Peirce and Polly (Springer) Scribner of 
Harrison ; 2d, Ellen, daughter of Stephen and Susanna 
(Carsley) Blake ; 3d, Susan, daughter of Simon New- 
comb, and widow of Calvin Dawes. Children of Lowell 
and Julia E. Foster : 

1. Joseph, b. Mar. i, 1843: married Hannah Edson of 

Harrison. 

2. Albert, b. July 9, 1845 ; died Jan. 11, 1847. 

3. Mary, b. Dec. 12, 1847; married Edward Hamblin of 

Portland; resides in State of Washington. 

4. Albert, b. Mar. 29, 185 1 ; no further record. 

.5. Frank G., b. Jan. 9, 1854; married ist, Helen New- 
comb of Harrison. They had one son, Edward F., 
b. Feb. 4, 1877; resides in Olympia, Wash.; unmar- 
ried. Frank G., married 2d, Mrs. Addie Ward ; their 
children: Perley R., b. May 14, 1901. Myrtle H., 
b. Feb. 14, 1906; they reside in Harrison. 

6. Helen M., b. Dec. 16, 1857, daughter of second wife 
of Lowell. She resides in Olympia, Wash. ; unmar- 
ried. 

7. Lelia, b. May, 1874; daughter of third wife of Low- 

ell ; married Augustus Baine ; live in Portland. 

George F., b. in 1817; married Ann Osgood of Bridgton. 
He was a prominent merchant in Harrison (See "mer- 
chants") for years. He was noted for his honorable 
character and urbanity of manners, and was successful 
in business. He removed to Portland about i860, and 
was in the wholesale flour business for many years. They 
had children : Clinton, Arthur. Rose, and Emma ; all 
except Rose died in infancy. Rose was born in 1851 ; 
married Joseph L. Whitmore, who was in the lumber 
business in Portland. Mr. Foster and Mr. Whitmore 
removed to Pasadena, Cal., in 1887, where they invested 
in timber lands, mines, etc., and Mr. Foster was president 
of a street railroad. He died Dec. 6, 1893. Mrs. Fos- 
ter died in 1887. 

Joseph, youngest son of Benjamin, died in early manhood. 

G. F. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 475 

GRAY FAMILY. 

ALBERT GRAY was born in Hiram, Maine, Jan. 2, 
1816. He married Phidelia C, daughter of Abram and 
Mary (Coleman) Savage of Bridgton, Dec. — , 1841. Mr. 
Albert Gray died September 26, 1891. Mrs. Phidelia Gray 
died June 18, 1893. Their children : 

Napoleon, b. Jan. 12, 1843, in Naples; married June 13, 
1870, Mercy Adams, daughter of Francis H. and Martha 
(Mayberry) Whitman of Harrison. He fitted for col- 
lege at Bridgton Academy, and graduated from Bowdoin 
College in the class of 1867. He studied law with Hon. 
C. A. Chaplin of Harrison, and with A. A. Strout of 
Portland, and was admitted to the S. J. Court of Maine 
in Cumberland County and to the courts of Massa- 
chusetts at the Suffolk Bar in Boston. He settled in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., and had a successful professional ca- 
reer. He died in Brooklyn, Feb. 25, 1899. Mrs. Mercy 
Gray resides in Harrison. 

Isabella Augusta, b. in Naples, March 2, 1845. She was 
educated in the common schools, and at Bridgton Acad- 
emy and a select school in Portland. She adopted the 
teaching profession, and taught many years in the public 
schools of Maine, Massachusetts and Minnesota. In 
1893, she retired from the educational field, and has 
resided since then at ^Mechanic Falls, Me., and in Boston, 
until her marriage, June 25, 1906, to Samuel H. Dawes 
of Harrison. 

Albert, Jr., b. Alay 30, 1847, in Naples. He was edu- 
cated in the common schools, at Bridgton Academy, and 
graduated from Bowdoin College in the class of 1870. 
He was a professional teacher, and principal of acad- 
emies and high schools in Northboro, and Bolton. Mass., 
and in Morris, N. Y. He married Mary Eliza, daughter 
of Francis H. and Martha Whitman of Harrison, Dec. 
25, 1873. He died Jan. 20, 1893. Mrs. Mary E. Gray 
resides with her sister in Harrison Village. 

Solon, b. in 1849 ; died in infancy. 

Elmer, b. July 3, 185 1. He had a good Academic educa- 
tion and attended Bowdoin Medical School, but did not 



476 A HISTORY OF THE 

graduate. He attended a school of instruction in clin- 
ical studies in New York and was attending physician 
about one year in a New York City Hospital. He prac- 
tised with much success in Auburn, Me., and in Edgar- 
town, Mass. He married Lydia Gushing of Boston, June 
14, 1882. They had two sons, Elmer Gushing and Sidney 
Weston. Elmer is a lawyer in Beacon St., Boston. Sid- 
ney resides with his mother in Dorchester, Mass. Dr. 
Gray died in Edgartown, Oct. 25, 1891. 

Frank Orlin, b. Aug. 26, 1853, in Naples. He had the 
advantages of the public schools, several terms at Bridg- 
ton Academy and Norway Liberal Institute and adopted 
a mercantile career. He was a partner of Freeland H. 
Ricker in the large village store at Harrison for a numljer 
of years, and has been in a successful business for nearly 
three years in Boston. He married Mame J., daughter 
of John W. and Mary (Purington) Gaswell of Harrison. 
They reside in Boston. 

ALBERT GRAY, SR., was a farmer and lumberman. 
He was a very competent surveyor of lumber and an expert 
explorer and judge of timber standing in the forest. He 
was employed by the State for a time, as an explorer of the 
public lands of Maine in Aroostook County. He repre- 
sented the town of Naples in the Legislature and in public 
town offices and as representative to Legislature, and as 
State Senator from Cumberland County. 

ANSEL GRAY, (brother of Albert Gray) b. in Naples, 
Jan. 25, 1820, married Mrs. Emeline Brooks, Oct. 20, 
i860, in Naples. He died Feb. 17, 1895. She died June 
17, 1888. Their son, Eugene D. Gray, b. Sept. 16, 1863, 
married Jennie E., daughter of Charles and Sarah Dunn 
of Buckfield, Dec. 14, 1889. She died May 17, 1890. He 
married for second wife, Nettie Berry, daughter of Wallace 
and Jennette (Lord) Berry of Denmark. Their children 
are: Laurence Berry, b. May 2, 1899. Donald Walker, 
b. Apr. 30, 1901. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 477 

JAMES GRAY came from Beverly, Massachusetts and 
settled first in Bridgton. He was a shoemaker. He came to 
Harrison with a large family and settled early in the last 
century on the Pond road near James Watson, the pioneer. 
His first wife was Mary Stickney; second, Polly Lewis. 
Children : 

James, married Hannah Thorn and settled in Sebago. 

Nathaniel, settled in Danvers, Mass. 

Mary, married Freeman Whitney (See Whitney family). 

JosiAH, married Eunice Fuller ; lived and died in Danvers, 
Mass. 

Eben, lived many years in Harrison and died here. Never 
married. 

William, married Mary Newcomb of Harrison, Sept. 19, 
1830; settled near the Center schoolhouse in the New- 
comb neighborhood. They had two sons, Samuel and 
Mellen. Mr. Gray was a farmer. He migrated in 1870, 
to Illinois. His subsequent history is unknown. He was 
of excellent character and a worthy member of the F. W. 
Baptist church. Mrs. Mary (Newcomb) Gray died Mar. 
26, 1864, aged 55 years, 10 months. Another son, Fran- 
cis F., died Apr. 24, 1853, aged 19 yrs. ; and a daughter, 
Eliza Ann, died Oct. 13, 1857. 

Irene, married Ebenezer Ingalls of Bridgton, who lived 
many years on the Portland road in the Stickney or Kil- 
born neighborhood. She resided during her last years, 
in the family of her daughter, Mrs. Edward A. Gibbs 
at Bridgton Center. 

Hannah, married John Merrow of Eaton, N. H. 



SAMUEL GRAY, born March 9, 1807, married Eliza- 
beth Cummings of Harrison, daughter of Thomas Cum- 
mings, the pioneer. She was born December 21, 181 1, 
and died August 15, 1857. Mr. Gray married 2d, Fidelia 
Caswell, May 12, 1868. They had one daughter, Eliza- 



4/8 A HISTORY OF THE 

beth p., born October 4, 1869. Mr. Gray settled and lived 
on a farm on the Pond road, and erected a brick dwelling 
house. He subsequently moved to Harrison and erected 
a good house and stable on an excellent site opposite the 
Congregational church, now owned by John C. Edgerly. 
He was always noted for his industrious and thrifty habits, 
and for superior judgment in matters of business. He ac- 
cumulated a handsome property ; was interested in mer- 
cantile and lumbering business and invested considerably 
in timber and woodland. He died February 21, 1872. His 
widow subsequently married Samuel H. Dawes of Harri- 
son (See Dawes family). 

Elizabeth P., only daughter of Samuel and Fidelia Gray, 
received a good education, graduating from Bridgton 
Academy in . She has been a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools. She is now employed as assistant in the 
new Carnegie Library of Washington, D. C. 



HALL FAMILY. 

ISAAC HALL, who moved from Gorham to Harrison 
(then Otisfield) was a son of Ebenezer Hall, an early set- 
tler of Gorham. He was born in Gorham, May 23, 1770; 
married Ann Whitney of said town. May 19, 1791, and re- 
moved from Gorham to Harrison in February, 1812. He 
settled on the farm in the northeast section where Isaac 
Hall, Jr., and his son, Moses Hall, have lived for nearly 
a century, and is yet in possession of the last named de- 
scendant of the original owner. Isaac Hall, Sr., died Feb- 
ruary 8, 1831. His wife died March 7, 1830, aged fifty- 
seven years. The children were: 

Mehitable, b. Nov. 6, 1793, in Gorham ; married Benjamin 
Jordan of Norway in May, 1814; died Aug. 2, 1851. 

Mercy, b. Jan. 31, 1796; married Capt. Wentworth Stuart; 
lived many years at Bolster's Mills; died Oct. 29, 1843. 
(See Stuart family.) 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 4/9 

Mary, b. Oct. i6, 1796; married Solomon Stuart. (See 
Stuart family.) 

Joseph \V., b. June 29, 1801 ; married Sarah Jordan of 
Norway, and settled in town ; subsequently lived in Lee, 
and Lewiston, Me., and finally settled in St. Paul, Minn. 
Their children were: 

1. Albert. 

2. Emeline, married Nath'l Getchell of Monmouth. 

3. Merritt J. 

4. Esther A., married Joseph Crockett of Lewiston. 

5. Harriet E., married Rev. Otis Andrews of New Shar- 
on. 

6. Charles. 

7. Isaac. 

Betsy, b. Mar. 18, 1803 ; married Gardner Chadbourne. 
(See Chadbourne family.) 

Is.^AC, Jr., b. Oct. 5, 1805; married ist, Betsy Cobb; 2d, 
Dorcas Titcomb, Oct. 9, 1838. Mr. Hall succeeded his 
father on the paternal homestead where his children were 
born. He was a man of quiet, industrious habits, had 
excellent judgment concerning public concerns of the 
town, which caused him to be elected as one of the se- 
lectmen a number of times. He died Aug. 4, 1893. 
Children of Isaac Hall, Jr., were : 

1. Adolphus C, b. June 24. 1832; married Fannie E. 

Grimshaw of Galena, 111., settled in Centralia, III. 

2. Rose A., b. Feb. 16, 1835; died Apr. 4, 1885; un- 

married. 

3. Aloses E., b. July 21, 1842; married Harriet A. 

Huntress of Harrison. Has occupied the home farm 
but now lives at Harrison Village. 

Harriet, b. May 4, 1808; died Jan. 17, 1809. 

Nancy, b. June 4, 1810; married Jonathan Bucknell of 
Harrison. They settled on Burnham Hill. She died 
July 9, 1855. 

H.\nnah D., b. in Harrison, Feb. 21, 1813 ; married Sam- 
uel Stuart. (See Stuart family.) 



480 A HISTORY OF THE 

Silas E., b. Oct. 2, 1816; married in May, 1844, Esther 
A. Pike of Norway (b. Mar. 13, 1819), died Apr. 25, 
1893. Mr. Hall lived in his early married life at Stuart's 
Corner, Harrison ; afterward moved to Norway, and 
settled in the Frost Hill district, where his family spent 
the remainder of their lives. They had children: Na- 
thaniel Pike, b. in Harrison. Lucy B., Anna, Isaac Elden. 



HARMON FAMILY. 

The Harmons were among the first settlers of Harrison. 
They came from Sanford, York County. NEPHTALI 
HARMON came into town about 1798, and settled on a 
tract known as the Capt. Harmon place, for years past 
owned and occupied by the family of the late Samuel K. 
Wight. Mr. Harmon was commissioned by Gov Caleb 
Strong to a Lieutenancy in the 5th Massachusetts regiment 
September 26, 1803, and promoted to Captain, August 13, 
1805. He was a blacksmith, farmer and lumberman. He 
was born September 15, 1764. He married Mehitable, 
daughter of Rufus Harmon of Wells — his cousin — about 
1788. She was born October 8, 1768. Captain Harmon 
was very active in promoting the measures of the most im- 
portance that led to the incorporation of the town in 1805, 
and was appointed by Enoch Perley, Esq., of Bridgton, as 
the officer of the town of Otisfield to serve the warrant 
calling a town meeting of the inhabitants to act as a town 
in choosing the proper officers to organize and make all 
necessary provisions for local government. At that town 
meeting, he was elected constable for one year. He died 

February 25, 1844. His wife died . Their children 

were : 

Leander, b. in Sanford, May 27, 1790; married ist, Lydia, 
daughter of Daniel Witham and settled in town on a 
farm since owned in succession by his son Nathaniel 
and his grandson Charles Nathaniel Harmon, located 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 481 

on the summit of the ridge north of the residence of N. 

Harmon Seavey. Mr. Harmon married 2d, Nov. i6, 

1859, Arvesta Dearborn of Hartford, Me. He had by 

first wife, children as follows : 

I. Mehitable, b. Mar. 24, 1812; married Jonathan Tas- 
ker Seavey of Bartlett, N. H., b. in New Hampshire, 
May 25, 1809. He was a farmer, blacksmith and 
stone mason. Mrs. Seavey died Jan. 30, 1867. Mr. 
Seavey died Oct. 19, 1888. Their children were: 
William Harmon, b. Apr. 18, 1831 ; died May 16, 
1856. John Henry, b. Nov. 14, 1832; died Apr. 16, 
1837. Marietta Maria, b. July 25, 1837 ; married Has- 
kell P. Kneeland. (See Kneeland family.) Nathaniel 
Harmon, b. June 9, 1840; married Feb. 16, 1867, 
Marcia Olinda Cook of Casco, Me. ; children : Liz- 
zie Gould, b. Oct. 12, 1867 ; married Charles F. 
Winslow of Casco, Mar. 24, 1892 ; children : Wal- 
ter Percy, b. Apr. 16, 1898. Harry Nathaniel, b. 
Aug. 12, 1894. Raymond Lawrence b. May 30, 
1900. Mrs. Lizzie Gould Winslow died Feb. i, 1905. 
Lillian Lee, b. June 25, 1870; married George Hill 
of Worcester, Mass., Aug., 1894; died Mar. 21, 
1907; their children: Harry Seavey, b. May 11, 
1895. Clarence George, b. July 30, 1897. Robert 
Benjamin, b. July 23, 1899. Charles Edwin, b. June 
23, 1902. Charlotte Marcia, b. June 16, 1904. Na- 
thaniel Harmon, b. Dec. 30, 1906; died Mar. 30, 
1907. Grace May, b. Apr. 4, 1873 ; died Dec. 16, 
1893. Fred Robie, b. May i, 1882; lives in Wor- 
cester, Mass. William Harmon, b. June 14, 1886. 
John Leander, b. Aug. 26, 1845 : died Feb. 13, 1846. 
Sumner David, b. Dec. 16. 1850; married Emma 
Cogswell of Bridgewater, Me., Oct. 18, 1871 ; their 
children : Edwin Sumner, b. Sept. 27, 1872 ; died 
in 1884. Mary Emma, b. 1875 ; died in infancy. 
Ernest Linwood, b. Feb. 6, 1880. Edna May, b. 
Sept. 27, 1881 ; married Oct. 18, 1899, Charles G. 
Briggs, a lawyer in Caribou, Me. 

Sumner David Seavey has had a varied career, but has 
achieved success and distinction in the sphere of active 
life to which he was attracted after trying several kinds 
of business. From a farmer boy in Harrison, his tran- 
sition to a Lynn shoe factory ; to a conductorship on the 



482 A HISTORY OF THE 

Boston Street cars ; to a position of authority in the House 
of Correction in South Boston; finally, to the office of 
watchman in the Massachusetts State Prison in Charles- 
town, was quite rapid. In that responsible position he 
served as "turnkey" for thirty years until October i, 1899. 
On March 4, 1885, he was severely injured by a desperate 
prisoner in an effort to prevent his escape from prison. 
Officer Seavey's injuries disabled him from attending to 
his duties till the end of the year. On his return to duty, 
the State voted him a gift of $3,000 and his salary was paid 
regularly through the year. 

On October i, 1899, Mr. Seavey was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the Reformatory on Rainsford Island, Boston 
Harbor, at present known as the "Suffolk School for Boys," 
under the support and direction of the city of Boston. It 
is a very responsible and exacting office, but Mr. Seavey 
has to the present time met the demands of his position 
with perfect satisfaction to the city authorities. 

2. Sally Witham ; married Benjamin H. Hill of Har- 
rison. Children: Marcus Wight, b. Feb. 7, 1842; 
married in 1868, Hattie E., daughter of Asa Har- 
mon; they had a daughter, Sarah E., who married 
George Bonney of Mechanic Falls; they reside in 
Swampscott, Mass. ; also had a son, Loton Weston, 
b. Feb. 14, 1872 ; lives in Westbrook. George Ben- 
jamin A., b. May 2, 1844; enlisted in 1861, in the 
loth Me. Vol. Inf., but on account of disability, was 
discharged; in 1862, he went to Michigan and en- 
listed in — Regt. Mich. Vol. Cav. and served till 
close of the war ; he married in 1866, Harriet M. 
Harrington of Michigan; their children: Belle, b. 
Apr. — , 1868; married Floyd Edwin Harris of 
Worcester, Mass. ; children : Florence Maria, b. 
June, 1893. Floyd Hill, b. Jan. — , 1900. George 
H., b. in Michigan, Sept. • — •, 1869 ; resides in Wor- 
cester, Mass. ; is lieutenant of Police in that city ; 
married Lillian Lee, daughter of Nathaniel H. and 
Marcia O. Seavey of Harrison. (See Seavey-Har- 
mon record.) George B. A. Hill died in Worcester, 
Aug. 9, 1896. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 483 

3. Nathaniel, b. — ; married Caroline Libby of 

Harrison; settled on his father's farm and lived 
there until his death, May 19, 1863. Their children 
were: Henry, b. Dec. 4, 1841 ; married Nellie Rich- 
ardson of Naples. He settled in Raymond. Charles 
Nathaniel, b. May 13, 1845 ; married Harriet E. 
Wentworth, daughter of Benjamin Wentworth, 
of Naples. He lived on the paternal homestead 
and had children: Carrie May, b. May 9, 1871 ; 
married Harry Peterson of Portland. Ellen Eliza, 
b. May 31, 1878; married George E. Kent of Berlin, 
N. H. Twins, Annie M., b. June 30, 1882; married 
George Verrill of Portland ; Benjamin W.. b. June 
30, 1882; married Carlotta J. Trafton of Harrison; 
children: Linton Curtis and Lida Trafton. Charles 
N. Harmon died Apr. 28, 1899. Mrs. Harriet 
(Wentworth) Harmon resides at Old Orchard, Me. 
Edwin Burr, b. Aug., 1849; resides in Raymond, 
Me. Emery D., b. i860; deceased. 

William Powers, b. in Sanford, Apr. 9, 1794; married 
Sally, daughter of Samuel Scribner, July 5, 1818 
(See Scribner family), and settled in Harrison. "He 
early embraced religion and united with the Calvinist 
Baptist Church of which he was clerk from 1827 to 1855, 
and deacon from 1829 to his death. Deacon Harmon 
was highly respected for his honesty, uprightness and sin- 
cere piety ; was one of the best of neighbors and one whose 
word and judgment could be relied upon. He spent 
thirty winters in the logging swamp and was considered 
an excellent teamster." [Ridlon's history.] He was a 
sweet singer as were other members of the family. Mrs. 

Sally Harmon died . Dea. Harmon married 2d, 

Julia Whittemore of Greene, Me. They had one child : 
Alma Caroline, b. Feb. 9, 1858; married Augustus Knee- 
land of Harrison in 1876. They had children. Augustus 

Kneeland died — . Mrs. Julia W. Harmon died 

. Dea. William Harmon died Feb. 23, 1873. 

Mrs. Alma Kneeland married 2d, Nov. 16, 1907, Abial 
Abbott Lovett of Boston. Her son, Lee Kneeland, re- 
sides in Everett, Mass. 

Harrison Gray Otis, b. in Otisfield, May 2, 1799 ; married 
Susan, daughter of Solomon Bray and settled in Monson 



484 



A HISTORY OF THE 



as a farmer. He died Nov. 23, 1872, leaving two chil- 
dren : 

1. Sumner B., b. in Monson ; married Hannah Scribner. 

2. Mary D. ; married Andrew Cushman. 

Walter Powers, b. in Otisfield, Oct. 20, 1807 ; married 
Hannah, daughter of Solomon Bray. (She was born 
Apr. 16, 1809.) Mr. Harmon settled on his father's 
homestead and was all his life, a farmer. He was a 
member for many years of the Calvinist Baptist Church 
and a loyal supporter of its faith and communion. He 
was a good neighbor and possessed excellent social quali- 
ties. Walter P. Harmon died — . Their children were : 

1. Levi F., b. Dec. 10, 1834; married Lydia, daughter 
of Simeon and Polly (Harmon) Haskell of Harrison. 
Mr. Harmon was many years employed in the great 
wire factory of P. Tolman & Co. He has been 
for nearly twenty years past, employed by the Burn- 
ham & Morrill Company, in their large corn packing 
shop at Harrison Village. Their children are : Ada 
P., b. Jan. II, 1858; married Oct. 11, 1875, Fred P. 
Howard of Harrison ; children : Edith ; married 
James Whitmarsh. Walter I., married McDon- 
ald. Frank L. Everett, unmarried. Earl Malcolm. 

Fred P. Howard died . Mrs. Ada Howard 

resides in — , Mass. Jennie A., b. Sept. 3, 1862; 

married Charles Needham of Harrison, Sept. 28, 
1880; children: Alice S. and Raymond ; they reside 
at Alechanic Falls, Me. Emily A., b. Jan. 4, 1866; 
resides in Lynn, Mass. Sarah F., b. Feb. 19, 1870. 

2. William Sumner, b. Nov. 17, 1836; married Emma 

Huff of — , N. Y. ; they had one child: Fleta, 

b. Oct. 7, 1867. Mr. Harmon served as a musician 
in Capt. Charles E. Emerson's Company H., loth 
Regt. Me. Inf. in Maryland, \'irginia. West Virginia 
and Pennsylvania. After the war, he settled in Al- 
leghany City, Pa. He was a house painter, and re- 
ceived a fatal injury by a fall from a high scaffold 
and died . 

3. Sarah S., b. Aug. 15, 1846: married Charles L. 
Walker of Harrison. (See Walker family.) 

Nancy, b. in Sanford. June 16, 1792; married William 
Hayford of Hartford, Me.; died June 18, 1851. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 485 

Sarah Powers, b. in Harrison, Nov. 3, 1801 ; married 
Samuel Scribner of Waterboro, Me. ; died Apr. 18, 1846. 

Debor.ah Ch.\dbourne, b. in Harrison, Jan. 6, 1805 ; mar- 
ried Levi Pjurnham. ( See Burnham family. ) 



HARMON FAMILY NO. 2. 

This branch of the family of Harmon descended from 
NEPHTALI, son of Rufus Harmon of Sanford. He was 
a brother to the wife of Nephtali ist. They were cousins. 
Nephtali 2d, married Polly Nason of Sanford. They lived 
a time on the farm owned now by George H. Cummings. 
The children of Nephtali 2d, and Polly Harmon were : 

Samuel, b. in Sanford, Sept. 12, 1791 ; married Eunice, 
daughter of John and Eleanor (Trickey) Johnson of 
Gorham. They had five children : 

1. David; went to California and never returned. 

2. Ira C. ; settled in Springfield, Me. 

3. Samuel P., twin to Ira, also settled in Springfield. 

4. John M., married Robinson and lived at Great 

Falls, N. H. 

5. Harriet J., m. Holt ; lived in Boston. Mass. 

John, b. in Sanford in 1793 ; married Mary, daughter of 
Simeon Turner of Otisfield. He died in 1888. They had 
children : 

I. Simeon T., b. Sept. 18, 1818; married Abby, daugh- 
ter of Oliver Edson of Harrison. They had three 
children: Austin, who went to the West and has 
never been heard from. Alvin T., married Abbie 
Button of Mass., Mar. 21, 1874: children: Arthur 
R., b. Apr. 8, 1876. Grace L., b. Sept. 19, 1878. 
Jasper J., b. Sept. 7, 1880. Elmer H., b. Nov. 12, 
1900. Ella A., married Ira H. Kneeland, Oct. 31, 
1885, and resides in the homestead of her father, 
Simeon: children: \Vinifred E., b. Apr. 25, 1887. 
Harold S., b. May — , 1896. Simeon T. Harmon 



486 A HISTORY OF THE 

died Jan. i, 1897. Abby, his wife, died Mar. 21, 
1883, aged 66 years. Mary, wife of John Harmon, 
died Dec. 13, 1834, aged 38 years, 11 mos. 

2. Susan, b. Nov. 16, 1822. 

3. John Allen, b. Jan. 10, 1825 ; married Joanna Cobb ; 
had two children : Etta, married Almon Thompson, 
and Emma who married Raymond. 

4. Eliza, b. Nov. 16, 1827. 

5. Abby F., b. Nov. 8, 1830. 

6. Mary Ann, b. in 1836. 

Gee, b. in San ford in 1795; married three times; no chil- 
dren. 

RuFUS ; died young. 

Allen, emigrated with family to Minnesota years before 
1850, and settled on the site of the future city of Min- 
neapolis, buying a considerable tract of land, by which 
he became in a few years, a wealthy land holder, and was 
in after years much respected as a citizen and business 
man. No further record. 

William; died young. 

Nephtali J. ; was killed by a horse in New Hampshire. 

Betsy ; married Stiles ; died in Harrison. 

Susan; married Daniel Whitney. (See Whitney family.) 

Lucy; married Almon Lewis, May 4, 1828. 

Harriet ; married Getchell ; lived in Aroostook 

County. 

Joanna; married Hall; lived in Waterboro. 

Polly; married Simeon Haskell, Dec. 19. (See Haskell 
family. ) 

Pelena ; died unmarried. 

G. F. 




Enoch Haskei.l, Sk. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 487 

HASKELL FAMILY. 

ENOCH HASKELL born in Freeport, August 17, 1772, 
ancestor of a large family of sons, daughters and grand- 
children born nearly all in Harrison, was one of the early 
settlers in Otisfield, near Crooked River. His first dwell • 
ing was near the home of the late Ireson Green, in the vil- 
lage of Bolster's Mills. He afterward moved across the 
river and located a home near the foot of the Jumper hill, 
where he continued to live many years. He married Me- 
hitable Sweat of Gorham, and settled a while near Little 
Falls, in Windham. They came to Harrison about 1812, 
bringing a family of young children. All their later children 
were born here. 

"Uncle" Enoch Haskell possessed an endowment of great 
physical power and energy — in common phrase, an "iron" 
constitution. His wife, Mehitable, deceased in 1849. Mr. 
Haskell lived to the age of ninety-four years, five months, 
residing the last sixteen years of his life in the family of 
his son, Enoch, at Caswell's Corner. He was so vigorous 
and fond of exercising his muscular strength that he was 
wont to display his skill at mowing, chopping and in other 
work, when past his ninetieth year. He was as spry as a 
boy to work, when he was very old. He was of pleasant 
manners and devoted to his home and kindred. It is not 
known that he ever belonged to any church, but he was a 
man of upright life and genuine integrity of character. 
He deceased January 17, 1867, in Harrison. The children 
of Enoch and Mehitable (Sweat) Haskell were: 

Simeon, b. Apr. 20, 1796; married Polly, daughter of 
Nephtali Harmon 2d, Dec. 20, 1819. She was born July 
15, 1801. They settled and lived many years near Bol- 
ster's Mills. Mr. Haskell was a millman, and operated 
the saw mill for a long time in the "thirties" and "forties," 
for Daniel Weston, the owner. Later he moved to a 
farm on the plains about a mile north of the village on 
the Norway road and died there. Their children were: 



488 A HISTORY OF THE 

1. Mehitable S., b. June 15, 1821 ; married Ora Hicks 
of Harrison and lived in North Harrison on a farm 
the remainder of their Hves. They had two chil- 
dren ; a son, George W., who was a soldier in the 
United States regular army, also for years, a member 
of the police force of Boston. He died in Wash- 
ington, D. C, in January, 1890. A daughter of 
Ora and wife, Hannah Elizabeth, married Kim- 
ball, and lives in Massachusetts. 

2. Ansel, b. May 26, 1822; died in 1824. 

3. Henry, b. Sept. 20, 1825 ; married Rosilla Caswell 
of Harrison, b. June 17, 1835; children: Charles 
A., b. Sept. 12, 1851, lives in Irvington, Conn. Ed- 
ward, b. Feb. 10, 1855, lives in Harrison, unmarried. 
Caro J., b. Dec. 18, 1857; married Edward Fields 
of Bridgton ; she resides in East Waterford. Susan 
I., b. Feb. 12, 1862 ; married Arthur Willis Libby of 
Harrison. Frank L., b. June 24, 1863 ; married 
Ina Gerry of Norway ; children : Henrietta ; mar- 
ried 1st, Ernest Comstock of Ivoryton, Conn. ; mar- 
ried 2d, Charles Augur of Middlefield, Conn., and has 
children. 

Mrs. Rosilla Caswell Haskell died April 7, 18—. Mr. 
Haskell married, second, Susan Florence Tuttle of Harri- 
son. Mr. Henry Haskell of Harrison Village in his eighty- 
fourth year is one of the oldest native citizens residing here, 
retains a good degree of physical vigor and his memories 
of the events of at least eighty years past in Harrison, are 
very vivid. He was the first to strike a blow in April, 
1847, in bushwhacking a road for the passage of an ox- 
team to the site of the saw mill on Carsley's Falls, which was 
erected the same year by W. C. Barrows ; since known as 
"Scribner's Mills." It is something for self appreciation 
to have been a pioneer. 

4. Caroline C, b. June 26, 1827 ; married Henry S. 

Turner of Otisfield, who died . She 

married 2d, Cyrus Brett of Otisfield, Dec. 10, 1892. 
She died Mar. 18, 1894. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 489 

5. Otis F., b. Mar. 20, 1829 ; married Luciiida Dicky 
of Monroe, Me. They settled in Harrison Village 
on the site of the present railroad station. Mr. Has- 
kell was from boyhood, active and industrious in 
his habits. He contracted a disease of the eyes in 
early manhood, while working in a Lowell cotton 
factory and ever after was able to perform only 
the simpler kinds of work. Their children were : 
Bertha, who died Jan. 25, 1878. Beatrice E., b. in 
April, 1870. Otis Haskell, died Dec. 31, 1899. Mrs. 
Haskell resides in Harrison Milage. 

6. Emily P., b. Feb. 12, 1831 ; died Dec. , 1854. 

7. Lydia W., b. Mar. 3, 1833 ; married Levi F. Harmon 
of Harrison. (See Harmon family.) 

8. Mary E., b. Oct. 5, 1835; died Jan. i, 1867. 

9. Eliza Ellen, b. Nov. 12, 1837; lives in Otisfield. 

10. Daniel Wesley, b. June 12, 1843, was enrolled as 
a private, Aug. 18, 1862, in Company H., 17th Maine 
Volunteer Infantry, for three years in the Civil 
War. He died in the service in 1863, from wounds 
received in battle. 

Dorcas Ann, b. June 4, 1798 ; married Sept. 22, 1822, Ze- 
bina Caswell of Harrison. (See Caswell family.) 

Patience, b. May 26, 1801 ; married ist, Moses Moody. 
They had a daughter, Priscilla, who married Thomas 
Mayberry of Casco: resided at Bolster's Mills and Au- 
burn, Me., where she died. They had two sons, Herbert, 
married ; lives at Mechanic Falls. Mr. Mayberry died at 
Mechanic Falls. Married 2d, Columbus Soule. They had 
a son, Moses Moody. He died in childhood. 

Daniel, b. Feb. 17, 1805 : married Phebe, daughter of 
Asa Hicks of Norway (b. Jan. 10, 1803) in Norway, 
May 9, 1836. Died Jan. 10, 1906. Their children : 

1. Lovina, b. Nov. 9, 1838; died Apr. 26, 1863. 

2. Merrill W., b. May 28, 1841 ; died Sept. 21, 1890. 

He married Issie P. Symonds of South Boston, Sept. 
26, 1868, in Boston. Children: Claire Ellis and Eva 
Maud. Claire E. Haskell married 1st, Emma Put- 
nam of Springfield, Mass. Had two children : Ruth 
Eleanor, and Merrill Alden. 



490 A HISTORY OF THE 

3. George A., b. Dec. i, 1844; married ist, Sadie C. 
Alison of Worcester, Mass., in 1873. Children: 
Claude A., b. July 26, 1881 ; married Minneola Ava 
Cox, daughter of Edwin and Issie Hobbs Cox of 
Norway ; they have one child, Francis Lyle, b. Jan. 
II, 1905. Lulu Blanche, b. Oct. 29, 1890. Ray- 
mond Laforest, b. Jan. 23, 1892. Mrs. Sadie C. 

Haskell died . Geo. A. married 2d, Mrs. Lizzie 

Dunn of Norway. 

4. Harriet Elizabeth, b. July 4, 1847; married Oct. 28, 

1874, in North Conway, N. H., David Erastus Cas- 
well of Harrison. (See Caswell family.) 

5. Edwin Laforest, b. Aug. 26, 1849; died Feb. 20, 

1903 ; married Ida E. Gilson of Waterford, Jan. 
7, 1875. Their children, born in Boston, Mass. : 
Ethel E., married Jacob A. Fottler of Brockton, 
Mass.; they have two children: Nina and Elouise. 
2d, daughter of Edwin, unmarried. 

William, b. May 13, 1807: married May 9, 1836, Hannah 
Lamb of Harrison. Their children : 

1. Appleton, b. Nov. 4, 1837, married N. Ella, daughter 
of Noah Pike of Harrison ; died Dec. 4, 1905. 

2. Almeda, b. June 6, 1843; married Benjamin Stuart 
of Harrison and is still living with her son, Samuel 
B. Stuart. 

Enoch, b. Mar. 26, 1812 ; married Mary A., b. May 4, 1812, 
daughter of Philip and Philena (Bray) Caswell of Har- 
rison. He settled near Caswell's Corner. He was a 
skilled cabinet maker and house painter and decorator. 
He died Mar. 18, 1874. Mrs. Mary Haskell died June 
28, 1897. Children: 

I. Almore, b. Aug 14. 1833; married Feb. 25, 1863, 
Susan Fobes Bailey, b. Nov. 7, 1837. He is a small 
farmer, but is a grower of large crops of Baldwin 
and other choice varieties of apples. He has fol- 
lowed the occupation of his father as painter and 
decorator, and is an ingenious mechanic and invent- 
or of original and useful designs, and has kept a 
diary of passing events in "short-hand," for about 
50 years. He is a charter member of Crooked River 
Grange, No. 32, P. of H. They have one daughter, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 491 

Lena, b. May 14, 1872; married Dec. i, 1897, to 
James Stone of Otisfield. Mrs. Stone is a well edu- 
cated musician, having studied the piano and theory 
of music with some of the best teachers in the State. 
She resides with her husband at her parental home. 

2. Atala Ann, b. Oct. i, 1836; married Charles Lamb 

(See Lamb family.) 

3. Menzies R., b. Feb. 4, 1840; died Dec. 7, 1861. 

4. Sarah P., b. June 16, 1841. 

5. Julia Adaline, b. Dec. i, 1843; married Dr. James 

Warren of Otisfield ; they reside in Lynn, Mass. ; 
ten children were born to them: Minnie A., b. July 
29, 1870; married Charles E. Knight May 30, 1891 ; 
they have four children: Avis, b. Apr. i, 1892. 
Charles S., b. Oct. 8, 1895. Essaline A., b. Aug. 

23, 1898. Ralph J., b. July 4, 1906. Ethel D., b. 
May 21, 1872; married Albert O. Knight Sept. 25, 
1904. Charles G., b. Aug. 20, 1873 ; married Elvie, 
M. Dow, Oct. 12, 1893; children: Ursell D., b. 
June 3, 1894. Glenroy D., b. Apr. 6, 1901. Percy 
W., b. Apr. II, 1875; married Ruby A. Estey, Nov. 
18, 1895 ; had one daughter Ruby M., b. Feb. 21, 
1897. Percy W., married 2d, Anna G. Shearer, 
July 8, 1901 ; had one daughter, Grace E., b. Mar. 
7, 1904. Grace M., b. Aug. 16, 1878; married Frank 
O. Estey, Aug. 16, 1901. Alton L., b. July 20, 1881 ; 
married Harriette Crozier, Nov. 18, 1896; one son, 
Durward B., b. May 9, 1908. Clyde J. C, b. Oct. 

24, 1882 ; married Nov. 20, 1902, Elsa M. Lund ; 
children : Gladys V., b. Apr. 30, 1904. Clyde C, 
b. Apr. 22, 1905. Goldie A., b. Jan. 14, 1886; mar- 
ried Feb. I, 1907, William E. Robbins. Austin W., 
b. Dec. 20, 1887. Verdell C, b. June 6, 1892. 



WILLIAM HASKELL. 

Next to Enoch Haskell, the pioneer settler at Bolster's 
Mills, William Haskell was identified with the affairs of 
the town in its early years. He was born in Gorham, 



492 A HISTORY OF THE 

Maine, February 28, 1793. He was doubtless a relative to 
Enoch. He married in Otisfield, April 11, 1819, Sarah, 
daughter of Thomas and Esther Turner Weston of Otis- 
field (born September 4, 1796). Children, born in Har- 



Mary Weston, b. Apr. 22, 1820; married Simon Houston 
Elder of Bu.xton, Me. She died in Oxford, Me., Dec. 
29, 1875. Their children were: 

1. Franklin, b. Oct. 3, 1842; died . 

2. Liberty. H., b. Jan. 29, 1845; died Sept. 8, 1873. 

3. Susan J., b. May 27, 1846; died • — — . 

4. Rebecca Weston, b. Oct. 15, 1850; married Herman 

Lowell of Harrison, Me. (b. Aug. 29. 1846). Their 
children: Harry Irving, b. Sept. 7, 1870; married 
Mabel J. Turner of Otisfield, (b. Apr. 6, 1867) ; 
children : Lura May, b. June 10, 1894. Roy Irving, 
b. Mar. 17, 1895. Ida' Mabel, b. Apr. 15, 1897. 
Edith Myrtle, b. June 30, 1905. 

5. Charles F., b. Oct. 15, 1850. 

6. Sarah H., b. Mar. 4, 1854; died Jan. 21, 1878. 

7. Helen E., b. June 27, 1856. 

8. Celinda, b. June 3, 1858. 

9. Clarence, b. Dec. 21, i860. 

10. John M., b. Jan. 20, 1862. 

11. Silas A., b. Oct. 11, 1864. 

Esther Jane, b. Feb. 27, 1826: married Moors Hancock 
of Otisfield, Feb. 12, 1854; children: 

1. Charles Sumner, b. Apr. 28, 1858; died Oct. 3, 1858. 

2. George Lee, b. Jan. 6, i86i ; married in Oxford, Mar. 

19, 1880, Cordelia French, (b. in Bridgton, Aug. 15, 
1863). Their son, John Moors, b. Oct. 22, 1883, 
married in C)tisfield, Dec. 31, 1904, Nettie A. 
Scribner, (b. Mar. 6, 1884, in Concord, N. H.) ; 
they have one daughter, Celia Isadore, b. Nov. 22, 
1905. 

3. John B., b. Aug. 6, 1863; died Nov. i, 1867. 

4. Effie Jane, b. Mar. 7, 1866; died Nov. 12, 1875. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 493 

Moors Hancock built a large store about 1850, and was 
in trade there until his death. He was a prosperous busi- 
ness man and was postmaster for a number of years. His 
son, George, succeeded him in ownership of the homestead 
at Bolster's Mills, and is an active and successful man in 
various lines of business. 

Jacob Frank, b. June 4, 1828; died May 17, 1876. 
Catherine Chute, b. Sept. 6, 1834; married ist, Haskell 
Jordan ; 2d, Wentworth Stuart of Harrison. They set- 
tled in Oxford, near Welchville. She died Mar. i, 1903. 

Thom.\s, b. ; married Araminta Caswell. He was 

a small farmer and fruit grower, also a successful hunter 
and trapper. 

G. F. 



HILL FAMILY. 
See Bray Family. 

EDWARD HENRY HILL, M. D., eldest son of Wil- 
liam and Charlotte (Bray) Hill, was born May 7, 1844. 
He was a bright studious boy in the public school of his 
neighborhood, took a course of English and classical study 
at Bridgton Academy, and at Bates College. His sub- 
sequent career was as medical student with Drs. E. M. 
Wight of Gorham, New Hampshire, and with Dr. G. L. 
Kilgore of Windham, Maine : later taking a regular course 
of medical study at Harvard University, where he grad- 
uated in 1857, with the degree of M. D. He first settled 
in Durham, Maine, where he laid the foundation of a 
successful practice. His ambition to work in a wider field, 
led him to remove to Lewiston, where he at once became 
associated with Dr. Alonzo Garcelon. He entered at once 
on a sphere of wide professional acquaintance and useful- 
ness. "His broad scholarship, his profound learning in 
his profession, his skill and success as a surgeon, his whole- 
souled devotion to his calling, and more than all else, his 



494 A HISTORY OF THE 

unselfish interest in the welfare of his patients, gave him, at 
an early period in his labors, a standing enviable among his 
associates. These qualities made him staunch friends among 
his co-workers in medicine and surgery." A daily Lewiston 
paper, from which the above extract is taken, says further : 
"Dr. Hill spent his spare moments over books of science 
and in keeping up-to-date in all his methods. In his pri- 
vate practice he never worked for the money in it for 
himself, but for those whose suffering it became his duty 
and privilege to relieve. It was always his choice to help 
another first ; remuneration might or might not be given — 
it mattered less to him." 

But a greater ambition eventually took possession of 
him, suggested by the urgent necessities of the commu- 
nity in which he was located. It was as early as 1880 that 
Dr. Hill realized the pressing need of a General Hospital 
in Lewiston. He was one of the chief agitators of the 
enterprise and its most ardent and influential advocate. 
For ten years, but little headway was made further than 
the organization of a corporation. In 1891, Dr. Hill's zeal 
became so great and resistless that, on his own personal 
responsibility, he purchased an eligible property which con- 
stitutes a part of the grounds of the present Central Maine 
General Hospital. Owning this property, he was urged 
to make it his own private hospital, but with the generosity 
which distinguished his whole life, he desired it to be 
for the benefit of all, and he wished his professional breth- 
ren to be associated with him in carrying on the medical 
work. He, therefore, the day after its purchase, trans- 
ferred the property to the hospital corporation. 

The above narrative of the circumstances under which 
a celebrated Maine Hospital was called into existence, is 
sufficient to perpetuate the name and fam.e of a native son 
of Harrison, who is acclaimed as the "Founder of the Cen- 
tral Maine General Hospital." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 495 

Dr. Hill, eleven years before his death, incurred a sick 
ness that caused him ever after to be an invalid. The 
cause of his first prostration and the painful illness that 
succeeded for the remaining years of his life was an un- 
usual exposure while returning home from a professional 
visit on a cold, stormy night, from which he contracted a 
disease of the spine. He continued to attend to his prac- 
tice to some extent, till only a few days before his death, 
when he was prostrated with a severe cold from which, in 
his debilitated condition, he did not recover. In spite of 
the efforts of physicians and the care of affectionate friends, 
he passed away on Sunday morning, July 17, 1904, at the 
age of sixty years. A near friend of Dr. Hill thus ex- 
presses the general estimation felt for his noble life and 
character: "There are not words in our language to one- 
half express the true worth of his great heart and soul." 



DR. HORACE B. HILL. 

With profound pleasure, we are permitted to record 
the educational and professional history of the younger 
brother, whose medical and scientific services to the State 
and its unfortunate people render him a deserving object 
of our remembrance and deep regard for the honor he 
has reflected on the town of his birth. Dr. Horace B. 
Hill was born in Harrison, near the old Free Baptist 
Church, and received his first lessons in learning in the old 
country school. He attended Bridgton Academy two years 
in 1868-1869, entering Bowdoin College in the latter year, 
and graduating in the class of '7^. 

After teaching several years in South Berwick ana 
Hampton Academies, he entered upon the study of medi 
cine at the medical school of Maine and the Long Island 
Hospital in Brooklyn, N. Y., from which he was graduated 



496 A HISTORY OF THE 

in 1880. After one year's practice in Lewiston with his 
brother. Dr. Edward H. Hill, he received the appointment 
as assistant physician at the Maine Insane Hospital in 
Augusta, Maine, and after two years was promoted to 
Assistant Superintendent, in which capacity he served near- 
ly twenty-seven years. In October, 1907, Dr. Hill ten- 
dered his resignation of that honorable position, and has 
been traveling through portions of the West, with an in- 
tention to locate in that section as a settled physician. Thus 
for more than thirty years has our Harrison boy, whom 
but few, now living remember, grown into a learned pro- 
fessional career, and, though serving the State in a po- 
sition comparatively secluded from the observation of the 
public, has been, yet, the means of conferring inestimable 
benefits upon the most unhappy and suffering class of the 
inhabitants of the State. 

Dr. Hill has been twice married: ist, to Miss Jennie 
Redlon of Vassalboro, Maine, in 1888. Her death took 
place two years later, and in 1893, he married Miss Harriet 
L. Metcalf of Lewiston, Maine. Dr. Hill is a member 
of the Maine Medical, and the American Medical' Asso- 
ciations, and several others of less note. He is also a 
member of several fraternities, notably the Mystic Shrine. 



HOBBS FAMILY. 

This family is of English descent. They first settled 
in Berwick and Waterboro, York County. 

MORRILL HOBBS came very early from Waterboro 
and settled on the hill about a mile easterly from Harrison 
Village, clearing a large farm of trees and stones and build- 
ing immense lines of stone wall as did all the first settlers. 
He erected a commodious dwelling house on the broad 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 497 

sunny slope facing the West, where the succeeding gene- 
rations of his name have been born and Hved, which, with 
all other buildings belonging to the estate, was burned 
in 1906, and the site of the once pleasant, hospitable, home 
is but a scene of desolateness. He married Miriam Brack- 

ett of . They had ten children nearly all born 

in Waterboro. Mr. Hobbs was a public spirited and useful 
citizen in town and district affairs. He died Oct. 20, 1826. 
Mrs. Miriam Hobbs died April 18, 1836. They were buried 
in the Free Baptist cemetery. Children : 

Reuben, b. in Waterboro ; went East and died in the Brit- 
ish Provinces. No further record. 

Abigail, b. in Waterboro; married Benjamin Sanborn. 

Henry, b. in Waterboro ; married Jerusha, daughter of 
Joseph Lakin of Sebago. They settled on the farm ly- 
ing on the west shore of Anonymous Pond, a third of 
a mile from Harrison Village, now owned and occupied 
by Daniel Caswell of Austin, Texas, for a summer home. 
He afterward removed to the south part of the town 
and settled on the Edes's Falls road, where, in late years, 
Benjamin Strout has lived. He died in that home, Feb. 
18, 1864, aged 64 years, 7 months. His wife died Aug. 
25, 1850, aged 64 years. Their children were: 

1. Cynthia, b. May 6, 1806; married Frank Knapp of 

Bridgton ; had children, George and Joash. 

2. Henry L., b. Apr. 30, 1808 ; went away when young ; 
no further information. 

3. Jerusha Lakin, b. Nov. 29, 1810; married Timothy 

Barker of Bridgton, Nov. 10, 183 1. 

4. Huldah, b. Jan. 5, 1813, married Calvin Russell of 

Harrison ; they had one daughter, Emma Josephine. 
Calvin Russell died July 6, 1859, aged 44 years. 
His widow died July 13, 1887, aged 74. Emma J., 
their daughter, died Sept. 22, 1878, aged 26. 

5. Christiana, b. Nov. 7, 1815 ; married Samuel N. Wil- 

kins of Water ford: lived in Harrison and in New- 
buryport, Mass. They had two children : George 
and Francis. She died . Samuel N. died . 



498 A HISTORY OF THE 

6. Mary, b. June 15, 1819; died unmarried Feb. 6, 1869. 

7. Ira C, b. Jan. 15, 1822; died unmarried, Jan. 28, 

1848. 

8. Benjamin, b. Aug. 2, 1825, married Melissa Ann 

Gould. He died Oct. 17, 1855, leaving two chil- 
dren, Ella F. and Annie M. 

9. Miriam B., b. Mar. 8, 1829; married John Wood- 

well of Newburyport, Mass. 
10. Morrill, b. in 1831 ; married the widow of his 
brother, Benjamin ; moved to Chicago and remained 
there. They had two children, Mildred and Grace. 

Miriam B., married Robert Sanborn. She died in Mar., 
1895. 

Polly, married Samuel Dyke. 

Susan, married Edward Bray. (See Bray family.) 

Morrill, Jr., b. Feb. 8, 1794; married Betsy, daughter of 
Nathan and Susie (Cotton) Carsley, the first pioneer of 
the town. He settled on the homestead of his father, 
and died there July 31, 1829. He was an honest, up- 
right man and a kind neighbor. His widow survived 
him many years, and died Dec. 13, 1872. Their children: 
I. Reuben, b. Aug. 20, 1821 ; married Mar. 8, 1842, 
Mary D., daughter of Bucknell and Nancy (Dawes) 
Scribner, of Harrison, b. Aug. 25, 1822. They had 
children : Morrill B., and Nancy Dawes. 

Morrill B. was born June 5, 1843. At the age of twenty- 
one, he enlisted September 20, 1864, in Lewiston, in Capt. 
Charles F. King's Company D., 29th Regt. Maine Veteran 
Volunteers. He joined the regiment at City Point, Vir- 
ginia, the same month. After a few weeks in camp, he 
was taken sick and sent to the field hospital. For nearly 
four months, no tidings of his condition reached his par- 
ents. His father went to Virginia and found him in an 
emaciated and unhappy condition — reduced from one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds at time of enlistment, to sixty-four 
pounds. A furlough to visit his home two weeks was 
granted where he was transferred early in 1865, to a hos- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 499 

pital in Augusta, Maine, where he remained till the close 
of the war. He was honorably discharged, June 5, 1865, 
by order of the War Department. He died October 16, 
1867. 

Nancy Dawes was born June 20, 1846. She possessed an 
inherent passion for musical harmonies, and became at an 
early age, a proficient player of the organ and piano, and 
for many years, taught those instruments to pupils in Har- 
rison and other towns, and was a favorite performer in 
church choirs and concerts. She always remained at home, 
rendering her best service as a daughter to her parents 
during the waning years of their lives. Since the death 
of her parents, she continues to reside in the home estab- 
lished by her father in Harrison Village ; is unmarried. 

Reuben Hobbs was an industrious and successful farmer 
and business man, a respected citizen and kind neighbor. He 
served his town faithfully on several occasions as a public 
official, and was a number of years a deputy sherifT of 
the county. He was gifted with a love for music, and 
was a leading member of the choir of his church, and 
contributed liberally to the advancement of public musical 
education. He died in Harrison Village, September 26, 
1885. Mrs. Hobbs died May i, 1898. 

2. William Carsley, b. Jan. 26, 1823. In his youth, he 
lived in the family of Worthy C. Barrows at Bol- 
ster's Mills, where he learned the tanning and curry- 
ing trade, and the art of shoe-making as it was 
practised in those days. He was a faithful appren- 
tice, and became a skilled workman in the several 
trades. He married Eliza Ann, eldest daughter of 
Merrill and Fannie (Stuart) Skillings of Bolster's 
Mills, and settled in that village. He erected a com- 
modious dwelling, on the site of the elegant resi- 
dence of Albert W. Weston. Here he also built 
a handsome building for making and selling fine 
boots and shoes. In 1857, Mr. Hobbs migrated with 
his family to Ripon, Wis., and went into the wheat 
farming business; after a few years removing to 



500 A HISTORY OF THE 

Russell, Kansas, where he was much interested in 
sheep farming. His last years were lived in Abi- 
lene, Kansas, where he died June 8, 1885. He was 
a man of fine character ; conscientious and honest 
in all his business relations ; had deep interest in all 
matters of public and private morality. He was a 
charter member of Crooked River Division, No 100, 
Sons of Temperance, and an active and faithful 
member during its existence. Children : Lizzie, b. 
in Bolster's Mills in 1848; married Frank Parker 
of Oshkosh, Wis., resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, 
and died there June 15, 1894. Eliza Ann Hobbs 
died July 2, 1896. 

Charlotte Hobbs, born in , married Benjamin 

McAllister, December 2, 1820 ; lived many years on a farm 
near the residence of Albert Cummings ; all vestiges of 
the home buildings have long since disappeared. Their 
children were: Harvey, settled in California. Brackett, 
settled in California. Rufus, no information. Charlotte, 
married Roby Thompson, moved to Bismarck, Dakota. 
Arthur, no record. 

John Hobbs, born , married Joan Whitmore, and 

settled nearly opposite to the residence of James Thomes. 
He moved to the town of Shirley, near Moosehead Lake, 
and died there. They had two sons: IMorrill and Colby. 



HOWARD FAMILY. 

The first settler in Harrison by this name was JOSHUA, 
son of Joshua Howard of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, born 
in May, 1733. He married Chloe, daughter of Samuel Ed- 
son, and settled first in Minot ; subsequently removing to 
Harrison about 1798. He first settled on the farm after- 
ward owned many years by Deacon James Chadbourne, for 
nearly fifty years past owned by Benjamin F. Stanley. Mr. 
Howard afterward moved into a log house on what was 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 50I 

long known as the "Howard place," which was, about 1856, 
purchased by Jonathan Whitney and where his son, Charles 
Andrews Whitney, now lives. Mr. Howard was a stone 
mason and executed some large contracts in stone work ; 
one being on the O.xford County jail at Paris. He died 
September 19, 1844; his widow died September 21, 1857. 
Children : 

JosHU.\, b. in Bridgewater, Mass : married Eliza, daughter 
of Charles and Eunice Walker of Harrison, Feb. 22, 
1 82 1. He was a stone mason and farmer. He died 
in 1830, leaving a widow, who married Sept. 9, 1832, 
David Woodsum of Harrison. The children of Joshua 
and Eliza Howard were : 

1. Eliza, b. Oct. 29, 1821 ; married Samuel Abbott. 

(See Abbott family.) 

2. Joshua, b. Apr. i, 1826: married Charlotte, daughter 

of Ephraim and Mayberry Cook of Harrison. 

Their children were: Henry, b. Dec. i, 1846; mar- 
ried Delia Smith of Lovell, and settled as a farmer 
on the farm formerly owned by Bani Burnham on 
Burnham Hill : they had children : Birdie and Lottie. 
Etta, b. June 27, 1848 ; married Dr. Luther G. Kim- 
ball of Bridgton ; they had children : Andrew, b. 
Aug. 6, 1850: married Nellie S. Morton; they had 
one child, Fred Albert. Frederick, b. Aug. 27, 1854 ; 
married Ada, daughter of Levi F. and Lydia (Has- 
kell) Harmon of Harrison. (See Harmon family.) 
Flora, b. July 28. 1857; married Dr. Frank Knight 
of Livermore, Me. 

Almon, b. in 1793; married Nabby Brown; settled in 
Water ford. He died there in Feb., 1840. He was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Children, as follows: 

1. Almon, died unmarried. 

2. Julia Ann, b. Feb. 24, 1827; married William Gil- 

son ; they had a daughter, Ella ; married Henry 
Young of Waterford, Me. They have a daughter. 

3. Susan M., b. Apr. 3, 1829; married Charles Good- 
win of Biddeford. They had three children. 

4. William, b. July 23, 183 1 ; died young. 



502 A HISTORY OF THE 

5. Edwin, died young, unmarried. 

6. Lewis, died young, unmarried. 

Barzilla, b. Nov. 14, 1801 ; married Oct. 28, 1830, Lucy 
True of Livermore, Me., b. Dec. 10, 1810. Their chil- 
dren : 

1. Adoniram Judson, b. June 28, 1832; married Di- 
adama Sawyer of Madison, Me. He was a lieuten- 
ant in the 8th Vt. Regt. Vol. Inf., serving in the 
department of the Gulf, in the Civil War. Lieut. 
Howard died of typhoid fever in 1863, in New Or- 
leans. 

2. Letitia Malvina, b. Nov. 10, 1834; died Apr. 22, 1836. 

3. Roseann Frances, b. Apr. 17, 1837 ; married James 

M. Stedman of Bridgton; they had a daughter, Em- 
ma Ethelle, who graduated from Bridgton High 
School, and from a School of Oratory in Montreal, 
and was for several years a popular elocutionist be- 
fore the American public. She married Isaac Van 
Cullen Jones of Philadelphia, a gifted writer for 
the journalistic press. He died a few years ago. 
Mrs. Ethelle Jones resides in Philadelphia. Her son, 
Gail Jones, is in the employ of a large mercantile 
firm in that city. James M. Stedman died about 
1898. His widow resides in x\uburn. Me. 

4. Barzilla Page, b. Jan. 31, 1843; married ist, Emma, 

daughter of William and Francina (Bradstreet) Lar- 
rabee of Bridgton. They had one daughter, Emma 
Athea, b. June 28, 1874; married Oct. 3, 1905, James 
Phineas Libby of Bridgton. Mrs. Emma L. Howard 
died June 28, 1874. Mr. Howard married 2d, Susie 
Emma Gamage of Fryeburg, Me., b. Dec. 31, 1857. 
Children by second wife: Eva May, b. Dec. 9, 1884, 
graduated from Bridgton High School, class of 1902 
and from Gorham Normal School in 1907 ; is a 
teacher in Bridgton public schools. Arthur True, 
b. Nov. — , 1886; deceased. Lawrence Page, b. 
Mar. 27, 1895 ; is a student. Barzilla Page Howard 
died Mar. 4, 1908. Mrs. Susie E. Howard, 2d wife, 
died Oct. 3, 1899. 

5. Martha True, b. Jan. 31, 1843; resides in Bridgton; 

unmarried. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 503 

6. Sarah Willard, b. Oct. 6, 1846; married Pliny Wy- 

man of Auburn ; they have one son, Percy Howard. 

7. Helen Marr, b. Nov. 25, 1849 ; married Samuel J. 
Vail of New York ; they had one child, Louise A., 
married Chas. J- Nichols of Portland ; they have 
one daughter, Helen Louise. Mrs. Helen M. Vale 
died — . 

8. Cora Eva, b. Aug. 28, 1853 : married Albert F. Chand- 

ler of Winthrop, Me. ; settled in Lynn, Mass. They 
had one daughter, Kate Sturtivant, who married 
Charles Lowe of Lynn; they had four children: 
Leonard; Arthur, deceased; Dorothy and John 
Howard. Mrs. Cora (Howard) Chandler died June 
27, 1906. 

Susan, b. in 1805; died Jan. 26, 1831, aged 26. 

Elias, b. in 1808, married Ednah Walker (See Walker 
family), Oct. 15, 1832. He was drowned from a canal- 
boat in Long Pond, Oct. 20, 1834, aged 26. 

Edwin, b. in 181 1, died June 24, 1833, aged 22. 

Chloe, b. Mar. 13, 1812; married John Woodsum of Har- 
rison, Jan. I, 1834. (See Woodsum family.) 

G. F. 



HUNTRESS FAMILY. 

HOSEA H. HUNTRESS, born in 1800, in Waterboro, 
Maine; died in Harrison, November 2, 1882, aged eighty- 
two years. He married Eliza Ann Estes of Bethel. She 
died May 12, 1891, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Huntress 
was never an aspirant to public official station, but he was 
one of the most respected and reliable citizens and business 
men. He was the proprietor for years, of a fine mill. (See 
manufacturing, p. 210.) Their children were: 

Mary, b. June 15, 1844; married Orlando Kneeland, July 
27, 1889. (See Kneeland family.) 



504 A HISTORY OF THE 

Harriet A., b. Dec. 22, 1848; married Moses E. Hall. 
(See Hall family.) 

Nellie, b. June 6, 1852; married ist, Wallace Kennerson; 
2d, Seth M. Keene of Harrison. They all reside in 
Harrison. 



ILLSLEY FAMILY. 

JONATHAN HOLLIS ILLSLEY came from Ells- 
worth, Maine, to Harrison, in 1854. He was born in 
Portland, December 31, 1810, son of Nathaniel and Judith 
Lunt Illsley. He married July 8, 1832, Caroline P. War- 
ren of Portland, born September 29, 1814. She died in 
Harrison, July 11, 1861. Their children, born in Ells- 
worth, were : 

Caroline Augusta, b. June 12, 1835; married Aug. 23, 
1859, Lewis William Tolman of Boston. Children: 
I. Clarence Moncure, b. Oct. 28, 1864. at Elwood. N. J. ; 
was educated in the public schools of Washing- 
ton, D. C, and at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, 
Pa. He married Oct. 29, 1890, Helen Moody of 
Mass., b. Mar. 11, 1867; children: Lewis Brew.ster, 
b. Dec. 5, 1902, at Sparrow's Point, Md. Mon- 
cure Denver, b. Feb. 22, 1900. 

Clarence M. Tolman is an expert scientific electrician, 
and has been in the service of several of the largest steel 
manufacturing companies in the United States; was em- 
ployed in professional work for two years in Australia, 
and has a position as electrical engineer for several years 
past in the city of Bangor, Me., where they reside. 

Charles Edward, b. Aug. 17, 1838 ; married Elizabeth 
Gage Rogers of Ipswich, Mass. He enlisted May 3, 
1861, as a private in Co. A, ist Me. Regt. of Inf. for 
three months, and was discharged at the expiration of 
that term of service. He was appointed and commis- 
sioned by the Governor of Maine in November, 1861, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 505 

as First Lieutenant of Co. G, iitli Me. Vol. Inf., and 
resigned his commission and was honorably discharged 
in 1862. He was in the civil service of the government 
in one of the executive departments in Washington, a 
number of years since the war. He died in Florida, 
Jan. 31, 1884. Mrs. Elizabeth G. Illsley, his widow, died 
in Washington, Mar. 21, 1907. 

HoLLis CoNDiT, b. Aug. 9, 1840. He was a gifted mu- 
sician and enlisted in Oct., 1861, as a musician in the 
band of the ist Regt. of Me. Vol. Cav. He died Oct. 20, 
1861, in Augusta, Me. 

S.\R.\H Eliz.\beth, b. Mar. 28, 1843 ; married Dec. 4, 1862, 
Osgood B. Webb of Bridgton, b. Dec. 2, 1838; he en- 
listed Dec. 18, 1863, as a private in Capt. Freeman U. 
Whiting's Co. B, 30th Me. Regt. Vol. Inf., was detailed 
as a member of the band of said regiment, serving in the 
Department of the Gulf, and was discharged at the close 
of the war. He was a fine musician and was second 
leader of Chandler's celebrated military band of Port- 
land. Their children : 

1. Caroline Estelle, b. June 14, 1864; resided many 
years in Washington, D. C. ; died in Bridgton, Me., 
Oct. 23, 1905. 

2. Walter Hollis, b. Mar. 2, 1869; he is a bookbinder 
in the library of Congress. 

Frank Warren, b. July 28, 1845 ; died in Ellsworth, Feb. 
5, 1846. 

Frank Warren, b. June 5, 1847; married Mrs. Carrie 
Dorsey; they had two children; Hollis and Mary, both 
deceased. Frank W. Illsley died June 9, 1880, in Dayton, 
Wash. 

Mary Ell.\, b. Oct. 8, 1849 : married Aug. 13, 1903, in 
Washington, D. C, John Harper Dripps of Washington. 

Clara Geneva, b. Mar. 17, 1853 ; married in Harrison, 
June 17, 1872, Nathaniel P. Hall of Norway, Me. ; died 
Feb. 3, 1891, in Pasadena, Cal. 

Ida Isabel, b. in Harrison, Mar. 19, 1855 ; married Apr. 

3. 1876, in Washington, D. C, Frank Warren Paine. 



506 A HISTORY OF THE 

They reside in Walla Walla, Wash. Mr. Paine is en- 
gaged in mining, agriculture and trade. Their children: 

1. Elizabeth, b. Feb. i8, 1877. 

2. Josephine, b. Dec. 13, 1878; married Nov. i, 1905. 

3. Mary, b. May 30, 1883. 

4. Frances, b. Oct. 7, 1888. 

Fred Forest, b. in Harrison, Mar. 15, 1859; educated in 
the Harrison public school ; went West in early life, and 
married Minnie Warren at Walla Walla, Wash., Oct. 
19, 1883. They have one child : ' 
I. Clara G., b. Feb. 7, 1885; married Nov. ig, 1905, 
John F. Blakemore, civil engineer. They have one 
child, Maxine, b. Dec, 1907. Fred F. Illsley's pres- 
ent address is Candle, Alaska ; his wife and daugh- 
ter's family residing in Seattle, Wash. 

Jonathan H. Illsley married second, June 26, 1862, Mary 
Jane, daughter of George Whitfield and Dolly Ann Bar- 
rows of Otisfield. Their children, born in Harrison : 

Annie Gertrude, b. May 6, 1863 ; graduated from Bridg- 
ton Academy, second in class of 1882, and was a teacher 
in the public schools a number of years. She married 
Apr. 26, 1886, Andrew Jordan of Harrison; they reside 
in North Bridgton. Children : 

1. Edith Barrows, b. Jan. 15, 1888; graduated from 

Bridgton Academy, valedictorian, class 1906; is a 
teacher and student in Gorham Normal School. 

2. Mary Helen, b. Jan. 11, 1893. 

3. Agnes Baker, b. July 2, 1899. 

4. Margaret, b. July 5, 1901. 

Judith Helen, b. Dec. i, 1864; educated in public schools 
and at Bridgton Academy ; is a clerk in the office of the 
Portland Daily Press. 

George Barrows, b. June 3, 1868; married June 28, 1905, 
Lila Francis, daughter of Capt. Andrew B. and Corina 
(Simmons) Chase of Portland. He is a graduate of 
Bridgton Academy and of Mass. College of Pharmacy in 
Boston, and is a manufacturing druggist in the employ 
of Twitchell, Champlin & Co., of Portland. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 507 

Jonathan Hollis Illsley, whose residence in Harrison for 
more than years and his honorable career as a citi- 
zen and business man are well remembered, was a descend- 
ant of one of the leading historic families of Portland. 
His prime ancestor in Maine, was Isaac Illsley, born in 
Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1703, a descendant of William 
Illsley, born in Newbury, England, in 1608, and emigrated 
to Newbury in the old Colony in 1634 — supposed to have 
been the ancestor of all the Illsleys in this county, says 
Willis. Isaac the Falmouth pioneer, was a "joiner by trade," 
a noted Indian fighter, and was an officer in the expedition 
against Cape Breton in 1745. He was skilled in the art 
of building and erected an addition to the meeting-house 
of the First Parish, in 1759; also a tall spire to that church 
in 1761. Mr. Illsley received his education in the public 
schools of Portland and in the old Portland Academy. 
He early learned the trade of harness making and in early 
married life was established in a prosperous business at 
Ellsworth, Maine, where he resided for about twenty years. 
Here were born his first eight children. 

Soon after his removal to Harrison in 1834, he engaged 
in trade in the building known as the old "Peirce store," 
now occupied by William H. Bailey; a few years after be- 
coming the owner of the "Blake store" and the leading 
merchant of the town. He was by inherent nature and by 
social training a gentleman, with an instinctive dignity and 
sense of honor that challenged the respect and won the es- 
teem of his fellow townsmen and all with whom he came 
in contact in business or social relations. He was endowed 
with superior musical gifts and had been a leader in culti- 
vated musical circles before he came to Harrison. Several 
of his brothers were many years distinguished professors 
and teachers of the divine art in New York and other 
cities. He encouraged the best standards of public and 
private instruction in music with a liberal hand. He was 
also a generous supporter of religious work in the churches 



508 A HISTORY OF THE 

and in promoting the higher education of the schools. 

Mr. Illsley sold his store and all his home property in 
1880, and removed to Littleton, Massachusetts, where he 
died in April, 1881. 



INGALLS FAMILY. 

The ancestor of all of the Ingalls name in this part 
of the country was Edmund Ingalls, who came from Lin- 
colnshire, England, with his family in 1629, and settled 
where the city of Lynn, Massachusetts, now is. Ridlon, 
in his "Saco \'alley Settlements," tells us that "he was a 
farmer, and took up land in the eastern part of the town- 
ship, near a small pond, and the place where his house 
stood has ever since been known to his descendants. * * * 
When the town lands were divided in 1638, he and his 
brother * * * had 'upland and meadow, one hundred 
and twenty acres.' He was accidentally drowned in March, 
1648, by falling with his horse through the old Saugus 
bridge, and the General Court paid his family one hundred 
pounds." 

Edmund Ingalls' sixth child was Henry Ingalls, born in 
England in 1625. His son Francis married Elizabeth 
Stevens of Andover, Massachusetts, and four of their sons, 
Isaiah, Phineas, Nathan, and Francis, came to Bridgton, 
Maine. Isaiah Ingalls, who was the ancestor of the Har- 
rison branch of the family, was born in Andover, Massa- 
chusetts, about 1755, and was twice married. He settled 
first in Rowley, Massachusetts, from which place he and 
his family came to Bridgton, Maine, about 1780. in com- 
pany with Col. John Kilburn and others. He was a land 
surveyor, "and for many years spent a large portion of 
his time in that employment ; was for many years an 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 509 

active magistrate ; was first town clerk ; first captain of 
militia, and held many offices besides, in town and county. 
He died in 1830, aged seventy-five years" (Ridlon's Saco 
Valley). It further appears that Mr. Ingalls had two 
wives and they bore to him eight children, Stevens, Francis. 
Isaiah, Amos, Phebe, Esther, Evalina, and Hannibal, all 
of whom were born in Bridgton, excepting Stevens, who 
was born in Rowley, Massachusetts. 

Though the Ingalls family in Harrison has never been 
numerous, it has certainly sent out some of the ablest men 
that were ever residents within our borders. One at least 
has very nearly reached the topmost round in the ladder 
of fame, two others who had started on most promising 
careers were cut down in early life by death, and other 
descendants from this family have shown marked ability, 
as will appear in its proper place. 

STEVENS INGALLS. son of Isaiah Ingalls, was born 
in Rowley, Massachusetts, January 22, 1781, and came to 
Bridgton with his father's family when an infant. When 
a young man he came to South Harrison — then a part 
of Bridgton — and broke ground for a farm very near 
where the Joseph Pitts buildings stood until recently torn 
down, and built a small log house a few rods to the north 
of the site of those buildings. On July 2, 1801, he married 
Rebecca, daughter of Col. John Kilborn of Bridgton, and 
after a short residence there they moved to Harrison, tak- 
ing up their residence in his newly constructed house, 
probably in the spring of 1802. Everything in the vicinity 
was almost a wilderness then, the only roads being the 
trails through the woods marked by "blazed," or "spotted" 
trees. 

A small clearing that Mr. Ingalls had previously made 
was utilized for the crops of the first season, and these 
pioneers used to relate in after years how they sometimes 



5IO A HISTORY OF THE 

found rattlesnakes in their com — not very pleasant com- 
pany to encounter when one was hoeing. This was to the 
south of and adjoining the "Col. Thomes Farm," which 
was then nothing but the "primeval forest." 

Mr. Ingalls enlarged the borders of his farm as fast 
as possible, and soon became a thrifty farmer, that being 
his exclusive occupation. They continued to live in their 
primitive home for many years, rearing a family of chil- 
dren, and doing such work as fell to the lot of the pio- 
neer settlers of a new country — subduing the wilderness, 
and establishing a productive farm in its place. He en- 
larged the borders of his farm, and extended the area of 
his work to such an extent that when his oldest son was 
grown to manhood, he gave him a part of it, on which the 
son built the house which was his home so many years, 
and which later became the home of the old lady and 
gentleman. Mr. Ingalls died December 26, 1851, at the 
age of seventy-four. Mrs. Ingalls outlived him more than 
twenty-three years, dying on April 29, 1875. at the great 
age of ninety-four. 

MRS. REBECCA INGALLS was a remarkable woman. 
She was the daughter of Col. John Kilborn of Bridgton, 
and was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, February 25, 
1781, came to Bridgton when an infant, and married Mr. 
Ingalls when twenty years of age. She came to Harrison 
when it was a "howling wilderness" in all directions around 
the little spot that her husband had previously cleared. 
She shared with her husband all the hardships of pio- 
neer life, living in a way that no one hereabouts knows 
anything of, except as they have heard it from the early 
settlers. She bore to her husband a family of six children, 
to whom she managed in some way to give a very good 
education for those days, so that one at least became a 
successful teacher, and another was for many years a town 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 511 

official. In the seventy-five years that she hved in Har- 
rison she saw many changes, many of which it is wonder- 
ful to think of coming to pass within the life of one gen- 
eration. She was a very intelligent woman, and was en- 
dowed with remarkable mental powers, "retaining her 
memory to the close of life and conversing with as much 
interest and animation as a person in the meridian of 
life." On her ninety-fourth birthday she read a chap- 
tr in the Bible without the aid of glasses. At the time 
of her death she was the oldest person in the town. She 
was the oldest of a family of nine children, and was the 
last one to die. She was a member of the South Harrison 
Methodist Church for more than forty-two years. 

Stevens and Rebecca (Kilborn) Ingalls had a family 
of six children as follows : 

Mary K., b. Jan. 26, 1803 ; married Richard Jackson of 
Naples, Jan. 6, 1822; died Dec. 28, 1841. 

Ezra Thomes, b. June 2, 1807; married Louisa Mayberry 
of Otisfield, Jan. 4, 1836; lived on the home farm, and 
later, at Harrison Village ; had a family of three boys ; 
died Dec. 16, his wife having predeceased him on Nov. 
9, 1886. 

HuLDAH O., b. March 17, 1812; died unmarried, March 9, 

1837. 
Abigail F. H., b. Alay 26, 1815; died unmarried, March 

3. 1835. 
Elizabeth W., b. Mar. 25, 1819 ; died unmarried, Dec. 

7. 1835. 

Ruth A., b. Apr. 4, 1823 ; married Henry L. Buck, Oct. 
20, 1843 ; settled in Harrison, and is still living on the 
same farm with her son, Adelbert C. ; has had a family 
of eight children, for whom see "Buck Family." 

EZRA THOMES INGALLS, only son of Stevens and 
Rebecca (Kilborn) Ingalls, was a native of Harrison, 



512 A HISTORY OF THE 

born June 2, 1807, and was educated in the common schools. 
He chose the calling of farming, and his father encouraged 
him to do so by giving him a part of the home farm when 
he came to manhood, as has already been told, and which 
was reunited with the original farm later on. The build- 
ings which he built for a home were on the site of the 
fine set of farm buildings which have just been erected 
by J. Howard Randall. He married Louisa Mayberry of 
Otisfield on January 4, 1836, and took up his residence 
on his farm, where he continued to reside until 1879, 
when failing health obliged him to give up work, and he 
sold the farm to Samuel F. Pitts, whose buildings on the 
adjoining farm had been destroyed by fire a short time 
before. He moved to Harrison Village, taking up his 
residence in a fine set of buildings that his son Alelville 
had erected for his use, in which they spent the remainder 
of their lives in ease and comfort. 

Mr. Ingalls was for many years a prominent man in 
town, and took an active interest in all public matters. 
He was very prominent in the South Harrison Methodist 
Church from early manhood, was one of its officers for 
many years, and contributed liberally to its support. He 
held a commission as Justice of the Peace for many years 
and drew the greater part of the conveyances for the people 
in a large territory. He continued to hold the commission 
until he voluntarily gave it up in 1879, on account of 
failing health, and his removal from South Harrison. He 
was a member of the Board of Selectmen for ten years, 
and was the Democratic candidate for Representative to 
the Legislature from the classed towns of Harrison and 
Baldwin, running ahead of his ticket vifith a very strong 
candidate against him. 

Ezra T. Ingalls was a good farmer, and one who made 
it pay. He was a hard working man. upright and honor- 
able in all things, and much respected by all who knew 



TOWN" OF HARRISON. 



him. He was a conspicuous figure in South Harrison 
as long as he was a citizen of that part of the town, an^l 
his three children were the most remarkable family of 
boys that have ever been sent out into the world from 
this town. Two of them died in earlj' manhood, but not 
before they had become eminent cit\' physicians, promis- 
ing to be excelled by none, and the third son has reached 
so high that he has been seriously talked of as a candidate 
for the Presidency, and is undoubtedl)' qualified for the 
position. 

Though Mr. Ingalls was somewhat sedate and sober 
in appearance, he was really a very social man, a great 
lover of fun, and was not above loving a good joke, or 
of sometimes making one himself. He was a man who 
strove to make men better, and always gave his support 
to whatever he regarded as being calculated to favor the 
cause of religion, morality, and right. 

The children of Ezra Thomes and Louisa (Mayberry) 
Ingalls were all born in Harrison, and were as follows : 

Pascal P., b. Oct. 8, 1836; married Araminta Edes of 
Naples ; died in South Boston, Mass., Nov. 2, 1874. 

Richard ]\I., b. Apr. 3, 1839 ; was educated in common 
schools and Bridgton Academy, and then entered Har- 
vard Medical School, from which he graduated in 1866; 
settled in East Boston, ilass., where he soon worked up 
a large and paying practice, and became a ph3-sician of 
considerable prominence. He married Mar}' Shattuck 
of East Boston, who bore him two daughters. He con- 
tracted diphtheria of a patient, and died at his home 
on Nov. 21, 1877. His widow died in Italy some two 
years ago, she having gone there to visit one of her 
daughters. 

Melville E., b. Sept. 6, 1842; married Abbie Stimpson 
of Gray, Me., and now lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. He 
has four sons and one daughter living, and one daughter 
has died. 



514 A HISTORY OF THE 

PASCAL P. IXGALLS, oldest son of Ezra T. and 
Louisa (Mayberry) Ingalls was educated in the common 
schools, and at Bridgton Academy, after which he studicl 
medicine with Dr. John E. Dunnells, who was then the 
practicing physician at Harrison Village. He entered the 
Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he graduated 
in i860, when about twenty-four years of age, and began 
the practice of medicine at Casco Village shortly after. 
In the fall of 1861, he moved to Massachusetts, locating 
at South Boston. In 1862, he went into the army as 
Assistant Surgeon in the 17th jNIaine Regiment, and re- 
mained about a year, after which he returned to South 
Boston, and again began his practice. He very readily 
secured a very large practice, and worked almost night and 
day for eleven years, becoming one of the most eminent 
physicians in the city, and accumulating a good property. 
He was attacked by consumption of which he died Novem- 
ber 21, 1874, greatly lamented by a very large circle of 
friends, and was the subject of several very flattering 
obituary notices in the newspapers, especially in his own 
home. 

His wife was Aliss Araminta Edes, daughter of Wil- 
kinson Edes, Esq., of Naples. They had one daughter, 
Maude Harriett, who married Dr. William Bryant Small, 
of Lewiston, and is living in that city. Mrs. Ingalls died 
several years ago. 

MELMLLE E. INGALLS, youngest son of Ezra T. 
and Louisa (Mayberry) Ingalls, was born in Harrison, 
September 6, 1842, and has become the most celebrated 
man that ever went from this town. He obtained his 
first education in a little country school that was taught 
in a schoolhouse that at the present day would not be 
regarded by a progressive farmer as fit to keep his hogs 
in, but he was an ambitious boy. and made rapid progress, 
even in the little wood colored schoolhouse, with very 




Ilo-V. .\Ikl\ii.lf- E. Ixcalls 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 515 

little finish, and hardly large enough to hold a dozen schol- 
ars. He early showed evidence of more than ordinary 
ability, and passed from the district school to Bridgton 
Academy at an early age. He taught school in Harrison 
and other towns in order to get money to pay his way, as 
his father was unable to assist him very much. 

From Bridgton Academy he entered Bowdoin College, 
and passed from there to Harvard Law School, from 
which he graduated in 1863, when twenty-one years of 
age, and at once began the practice of law at Gray, Maine, 
where he became acquainted with Miss Abbie Stimpson, 
whom he afterward married. He remained at Gray but 
a short time as a better opening presented itself in Boston, 
where he entered the law office of Hon. Chas. Levi Wood- 
bury. His energy and remarkable ability at once pushed 
him to the front, and at twenty-five years of age we find 
him a member of the Massachusetts Senate, one writer 
speaking of him at that time as, "A shining example of 
what brains combined with energy and perseverance can 
accomplish." 

Mr. Ingalls soon attracted the attention of capitalists 
interested in railroad lines in the West, and in their 
interest he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to rehabilitate some 
companies that had fallen into decay. This seems to have 
been the business for which he was especially fitted, as 
his efforts in that direction were crowned with wonderful 
success. When he went to Cincinnati to take charge of 
the old Indianapolis, Cincinnati & LaFayette Road, he had 
very little experience, not much money, but was the pos- 
sessor of good health, pluck, energy, perseverance, com- 
mon sense, and a good education, which certainly was a 
good combination. He went to work with the determi- 
nation to put the property under his charge on a paying 
basis if it could possibly be done, and he worked hard 
both early and late with that end in view. He went into 
every detail of railroading with the view of learning the 



5l6 A HISTORY OF THE 

business thoroughly, and at the age of twenty-eight we find 
him "started in at railroading" as President of the road, 
with his headquarters at Cincinnati, and for many years 
he was practically General Manager, General Freight and 
Passenger Agent, and Purchasing Agent. It was said of 
him that he was always ready to learn, always accessible 
to the humblest employee of the road, and that he knew 
personally most of the employees from the section men up. 

Through various mishaps the old road was in the courts, 
and Ingalls was appointed receiver, and upon its re-orga- 
nization in 1880, he was elected as its President, being 
then the man who was looked to as the saviour of the 
road. He had a hard fight to bring it out of bankruptcy, 
and place it upon a paying basis, but it is a matter of rail- 
road history that his efforts met with wonderful success, 
and he continues to hold the office of President, which he 
assumed when the road was in such a precarious condition. 
He was also President of the Kentucky Central Railroad 
for several years, and also of the Chesapeake & Ohio 
from 1888, till within a short time. 

As a builder up of railroad property he seems to have 
developed a faculty which has hardly been equalled in 
the whole country. When he took charge of the Indian- 
apolis, Cincinnati & LaFayette Railroad, it was almost a 
bankrupt concern, but he managed the business so shrewdly 
that it was soon on a paying basis under the name of the 
Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad 
Company. In 1889, this company, the Cleveland, Colum- 
bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis and the Indianapolis & St. 
Louis Railroad companies were consolidated under the 
name of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad Company, and Mr. Ingalls was made the exe- 
cutive head. 

In 1889, Mr. Ingalls took charge of the Chesapeake & 
Ohio as President, and the condition of the road at the 
time was so poor that "it was but little more than two 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 5I7 

Streaks of rust and a right of way." The earnings of the 
road were less than $4,000,000 per year, and when he retired 
from its charge it was earning over $1,000,000 a month. 
He had not only developed the main lines so as to greatly 
increase the earning capacity, but branch lines had been 
built so as to develop new territory; and the company 
supplied with first-class passenger equipment so that the 
passenger business increased equally with the freight traf- 
fic. The whole record of the railroad career of Mr. In- 
galls is especially interesting as showing his methods and 
the remarkable energy and ability that were behind them. 
Mr. Ingalls' home has for many years been in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, where he has a magnificent establishment on 
Madison Road, Walnut Hills, with extensive and most at- 
tractive grounds. This home is said to be the scene of 
many social events, as there are no more charming host 
and hostess than Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls. He is an excellent 
after dinner speaker, and is a member of the Queen City 
Club of Cincinnati, the Metropolitan Club of Washington, 
D. C, and also of the Club of the same name in New York. 
There is no more public-spirited citizen in Cincinnati than 
Mr. Ingalls, and many important city improvements are 
traceable directly to him as their author, and the estab- 
lishment of the Technical School and Art Museum is 
largely due to his efforts, influence and aid. He has al- 
ways been ready to contribute liberally to whatever is 
likely to advance the interests of, or to beautify the city. 
Only a few years ago he was given the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Mayor of the city, but happened to be on "the 
wrong side of the fence" to be elected, though it is sus- 
pected by some that he might have succeeded if he had 
cared enough about the office — or had been able to have 
devoted the same time and energy to the campaign that 
he had in the past put into the building up of defunct 
railroads. 



5l8 A HISTORY OF THE 

Mr. Ingalls' remarkable success has not caused him to 
forget the humble town of his nativity, or the friends of 
his boyhood. The declining years of his aged parents were 
made comfortable by a fine residence at the Village pro- 
vided by the thoughtful son, and furnished with all neces- 
sary comforts of life. Quite often does he make a "fly- 
ing trip" to his native town, and when he does so, he 
meets the citizens, not as a great man who is above the 
"common herd," but as one who was once a fellow citizen, 
"poor but honest and ambitious ;" and he meets them 
with a hearty hand clasp and a cheerily spoken word of 
welcome. 

Some three years ago, he and his family went through 
the town in an automobile party with three large autos. 
He made a short stop at Harrison \'illage to attend to some 
matters of business, and then made a brief visit to the 
old home, it being the last time that he ever saw the home 
of his boyhood which has since been demolished to make 
room for a much more elegant mansion. Thence he went 
to the home of a near relative at which a good old-fashioned 
New England dinner was provided for the party, after 
which they proceeded on their way to the "haunts of 
fashion." It was characteristic of the man ; brief stops, 
a combination of business with pleasure, and the accom- 
plishment of a great deal in a short space of time. An 
account of the trip which appeared in one of the Portland 
papers speaks thus of the Harrison part of it : "From 
there the party followed along the Ammonoosuc and down 
the Saco, and thence across to South Harrison where lives 
Mrs. Buck, an aunt of Mr. Ingalls, a woman of eighty 
years who can set the table with the finest of baked beans, 
doughnuts and custard pie. This was the lunch that the 
railroad magnate asked for and got, and there are no finer 
dishes in New England, says he." 

His old alma mater, Bridgton Academy, has never been 
forgotten by him. It was through his munificent donation 



TOWN OF HAERISOX. 519 

that liigalls Hall was built and has been maintained in good 
repair without becoming an "elephant" on the hands of 
fhe Trustees. He keeps in constant touch with the school 
by means of correspondence with some of the officials, and 
friends and relatives tell of enquiries like this in his let- 
ters to them: "How does Bridgton Academy get along?" 
* * * "I have not heard from Bridgton Academy for 
some time. I wish some one would write me in regard 
to what it is doing and how it is flourishing." There i3 
always a "warm spot in his heart" for the school of his 
boyhood, the scenes of many youthful triumphs — for he 
was a leader even in the days of his youth. He is great- 
ly interested in the schemes now on foot for the better- 
ment of the institution, and its friends confidently count 
on material assistance when the time arrives for the de- 
velopment of these schemes into fully expanded plans. 

Mr. Ingalls married Miss Abbie Stimpson of Gray, 
Maine, and they have a family of four sons and one 
daughter, one daughter having died. The oldest son, 
christened Edward M., is now known as M. E., Jr., and 
is a successful lawj-er in New York, and his youngest 
brother, Fay, is with him. George H. is a railroad man 
in high position in Chicago, and the other son is in Cin- 
cinnati, where he is now in the position of Superintendent 
of the Cleveland-Indianapolis Division of the Big Four 
Railroad. Of these sons it has been said that "he has 
started the sons on the same roads which the father has 
traveled so successfully, having given them college edu- 
cations and put them into the railroad business, seeing 
to it that they started at the bottom and earned the pro- 
motions which they received." It was said of them a 
few years ago: "They promise when older, to rank with 
the best railroad talent in the country;" and it can also 
be truthfully said that they entered into the business under 
very much different circumstances than did the father. He 



/->. 



520 A HISTORY OF THE 

pushed ahead unaided and succeeded wholly by his own 
indomitable energy and perseverance — an example of a 
"self-made man" that can hardly be equalled in the United 
States. 

Politically, Mr. Ingalls has always been a Democrat, hav- 
ing been nurtured in that belief in his boyhood. But he is 
fearless and independent, steadfastly refusing to worship 
some of the strange gods to which the party at times sees 
fit to bow down. In the days of the "silver craze" he 
stood unflinchingly for "sound money," though the stand 
for a time estranged him from a majority of his party as- 
sociates. He is an exponent of the old style "Jeffersonian 
Democracy," and seldom gives his endorsement to the "new 
fangled" ideas that sometimes creep into the party plat- 
forms. So prominent a man in politics is Mr. Ingalls 
that he has been seriously spoken of in his adopted State as 
a candidate for the Presidency, and it is saying none too 
much, nor more than is acknowledged to be the truth 
by those who know him well, to say that men have been in 
the presidential chair whose equipment for the position 
in all ways was far below that of Harrison's honored son, 
Melville E. Ingalls. 

Mrs. Ingalls is said to be equally as public spirited and 
generous as is her husband, and the citizens of Gray can 
testify to the fact that she has remembered her native 
town in a very substantial manner. 

Of course much appears in the papers in regard to so 
distinguished a citizen as Mr. Ingalls, among which are 
many anecdotes which are worthy of a place in a sketch 
of his life. Below are two that are "good readings :" 

President Ingalls, of the "Big Four" execrable hand, 
and a farmer living near Springiield, Ohio, is glad of it. 
One day Mr. Ingalls was riding over a division of the 
road, and came within smelling distance of a particularly 
emphatic hog-pen owned by the farmer. Next day he 
wrote an autograph letter to the agriculturist complaining 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 521 

of the hog-pen. The farmer could not read a word of it, 
and showed it to a "Big Four" agent. The latter could 
not make anything out of it, either, but said it looked 
like the passes sometimes issued by President Ingalls. This 
was a suggestion to the farmer, who declares that he made 
several trips over the road, using the illegible scrawl as a 
pass, before the conductors discovered that it was a pro- 
test instead. 

President Ingalls was out in his special car one day on 
his road, and stopped near St. Paul, Ind., for the purpose 
of inspecting a gravel pit which he anticipated purchasing. 
He had several minor officials of the road with him. A 
section gang was at work near by, and a switch ran up 
into the gravel pit, half a mile distant. The day was very 
hot, and an almost tropical sun threatened to warp the rails 
out of position. Naturally Mr. Ingalls did not choose 
to walk half a mile under such circumstances, so he called 
to the section boss and ordered him to bring his hand-car 
and crew, and carry the party up to the pit. 

"Not on your life," was the surprising reply. "Sure 
I have me orders from the Superintendent to do the work 
beyond, and not lave till its finished." 

Mr. Ingalls smiled, colored, and was about to reply, 
when one of the party tried to help him out by saying : 

"Oh, that's all right, Mike. This is Mr. Ingalls; get 
your car and come along." 

But Mike was not moved in the least by this appeal, 
and promptly replied: "Mr. Ingalls, is it? Niver a bit 
do I care who he is. I wouldn't lave this job for the 
pa>Tnaster himself, and that's all there is about it. Yez 
can walk to the gravel pit." 

Mr. Ingalls is a thorough believer in railroads, not only 
as furnishing business opening for young men, but as 
being closely connected with, and necessary to, the com- 
fort and happiness of the people. The following extracts 
from an address on "Success" delivered before a body 



522 A HISTORY OF THE 

of young men a few years ago, will serve to show the 
practical nature of his speeches, and also his views on 
railroads : 

"There is no business or industry in the world that 
enters so largely into the comforts and happiness of the 
people as that of the railroads. Without transportation 
we should drift back into barbarism. With it we are in 
the forefront of civilization, and the historian who writes 
the history of the American people will undoubtedly find 
that their great progress and their great advancement in 
education and everything that pertains to the comforts and 
delights of civilization are due more than anything else to 
their facilities for transportation. * * * In the cen- 
turies that have gone, the youth of the country sought 
fame and preferment in war and its accompaniments. We 
live in better days and in a higlier civilization, but the ser- 
vice of our railways offers a wider field for advancement 
than anything of old. The road to success in this line 
is not through carnage and suffering, but it is none the 
less sure, and requires equally moral courage and intelli- 
gence. * * * The great end is to get rid of what I call 
the dollar-a-day man, or the man who does the drudgery 
and never gets above it. Collegiate education enables its 
students to start above that, and all they have to do is 
to improve their opportunities and the fortunes of the 
world are within their grasp." 

"In olden times — a hundred years ago, and for centu- 
ries before, the road to fame was sought in war, in strife, 
in blood and sorrow. Today a different spirit is abroad. 
Wars are less frequent. Civilization is more extended and 
more refined. But there are still just as many roads to 
success to the young man, just as many paths to fame and 
preferment. But they do not lie over the destruction and 
suffering of his fellow man. It is a higher and nobler 
life, but just as strenuous, just as noble, and more satis- 
factory than that of the warrior or crusader of olden time." 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 52^ 

The success of Mr. Ingalls has been phenomenal, and 
he is today one of the foremost railroad men in the whole 
country, being at the head of one of the most extensive 
of our railroad systems — one of the Vanderbilt proper- 
ties ; and it is said that of all the able lieutenants in the 
administration of their widespread interests, no one enjoys 
more of the confidence of the Vanderbilts, or is allowed 
more individual power than Mr. Ingalls. Not only does 
he have the full confidence of his employers, but he enjoys 
the confidence of the public as well, for he is believed to 
be a clean man, and one that is an honor to any occupa- 
tion. Notwithstanding the great amount that is said at 
the present time in condemnation of the railroads the oc- 
cupation of railroading is just as honorable as any if the 
business is controlled by honorable men. We believe that 
if all of our railroads were under the control of such men 
as Mr. Ingalls there would be little cause of any contest 
between them and the people. 

Another branch of the Ingalls Family had representa- 
tives in Harrison for a time, though they were never very 
prominent in town affairs, and the statistics in regard to 
them that we have been able to obtain are very unsatisfac- 
tory, as there are conflicting dates and statements. We 
have the following which we believe to be substantially 
correct : 

Asa Ingalls, brother to Isaiah, the ancestor of the South 
Harrison family, married Mehitable Loring of Yarmouth, 
a sister to the wife of Jonathan Lakin, one of Harrison's 
old settlers. Asa and Mehitable Ingalls lived in Bridgton, 
and had five children, Polly, Sally, Spofford, Belinda, and 
Levi. 

Spofford Ingalls, oldest son of Asa and Mehitable (Lor- 
ing) Ingalls was born July 7, 1796, married, and lived 
in Bridgton until after the death of his wife. They had 



524 A HISTORY OF THE 

seven children, Davis L., Sarah J., Theodore, Aaron H., 
Lucy M., Charles H., and Robert M. He later moved 
to Harrison, where he married Sophronia, daughter of 
Daniel Witham, June 25, 1848, and settled on the farm 
now owned by his grandson, Reuben Gilkey. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ingalls had one daughter, Sophronia, who married 
Smith Gilkey, and had three children, Lillian, Reuben, and 
Carrie. 

Theodore Ingalls, second son of Spofford Ingalls, born 
in Bridgton, August 26, 1827, lived for a time in Bridgton, 
then moved to Harrison, living for many years on the 
Norway road about a half mile from the village, in the 
house so picturesquely located on the shore of Crystal 
Lake, and which has lately been purchased by D. H. Cas- 
well, Esq., of Austin, Texas, and fitted up for a summer 
residence. He was a quiet, industrious farmer, who was 
much respected by all. He took quite an interest in agri- 
cultural matters, and his name frequently appears on the 
records of the Harrison Farmers" Club, and he was a prom- 
inent member of the first Lakeside Grange. He and his 
wife both died some years ago, leaving one daughter, Mary, 
who is living in Bridgton, unmarried. 

A. M. 



JOHNSON FAMILY. 

There are two branches of this family that originated in 
Gorham and came early to Harrison. They were sons of 
JOHN JOHNSON, who lived near Fort Hill in Gorham. 

David, married Harriet Gilkey of Gorham, and settled 
a while on the Zebulon Johnson place, but went after- 
ward elsewhere to live. 

John, better known as "Jack," was born in Gorham, Feb. 
8, 1792; married Mehitable, daughter of George and 
Lydia Thomes of Gorham, b. Dec. 7, 1792 ; sister of Col. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 525 

Amos Themes. He settled in the south part of the town 
in the neighborhood of his brother-in-law, Col. Thomes, 
where his children were born : 

1. Susan, b. Sept. 2, 1823; deceased. 

2. Bethia J., b. Nov. 6, 1825 ; deceased. 

3. John, Jr., b. Dec. 23, 1827 ; married Lovica, daughter 

of Lewis Rogers of Casco, Feb. 24, 1856. He is by 
occupation a farmer, residing for many years as suc- 
cessor to his father, on the paternal homestead. He 
was a good farmer and a breeder of superior grades 
of stock, until within a few years. He has now 
retired from the farm and resides at Bridgton Cen- 
ter. Children: Nellie Maria, b. July 31, 1858. 
George Irving, b. July 21, 1865. Harriet Frances, 
b. Sept. 10, 1875. 

4. David, b. Oct. 29, 1829 ; went to California in the 

50's and was a large ranch owner. 

5. Susan J., b. April 10, 1832; married Joseph B. Hath- 
away and lived in California. 



JORDAN FAMILY. 

MARSHALL JORDAN was born in Raymond in 1830. 
In 1850, he went to California, where he remained eight 
years engaged in mining and mercantile business and was 
successful in all. He then returned to Maine, farmed a 
while, then entered into trade at Minot Corner. In 1880, 
he came to Harrison and bought J. H. Illsley's house, store 
and stock of goods, and did a large and profitable business 
until his death. His son. A'ictor, was his partner the last 
few years of his life. 

While at Minot he served two terms in the Legislature, 
was for many years one of the selectmen. He has been a 
selectman in Harrison, and was Chairman of the board in 
both towns. He was a devoted Democrat. He was post- 
master at Harrison under both Cleveland administrations. 



526 A HISTORY OF THE 

Though leaning strongly towards Universalism, he affiliated 
with the Free Baptists at Harrison. He was an Odd Fel- 
low and Mason. He married Rosina Rowe of Danville, 
in 1854, who died March 28, 1891. The children were: 
Charles M., Andrew B., Albert G., Mctor L., and Walter 
C, all living : and Alice M., wife of Walter Smith, who died 
May 4, 1894. Mr. Jordan married for 2d wife, Jennie L., 
born May 21, 1866, daughter of John K. Chaplin, who died 
August 13, 1899. He died March 29, 1898. 

Marshall Jordan was the last surviving member of his 
family. 



KILBORN FAMILY. 

The name of Kilborn was early and well known in Har- 
rison. CAPT. WILLIAM KILBORN, born in Rowle\-, 
Massachusetts, January 21, 1787, settled on a lot between 
the residence of Adelbert C. Buck and the home of the late 
Thomas Lakin. He was a son of Col. John Kilborn, one 
of the early settlers in Bridgton, a soldier in the War of 
the Revolution. The site of the Kilborn homestead has 
been long obliterated from sight. i\Ir. Kilborn married 
first, Elizabeth Senter, born in Rowley, ^lassachusetts, 
January 19, 1786; second, Hannah Martin of Bridgton, 
she died in 1875. His children by his first wife, all born 
in Harrison, were : 

Helena, b. Apr. 8, 1805 ; died unmarried. 

Ends L. W., b. Jan. 30, 1808; married Rhoda Shaw of 
Standish. He died Oct. 18, 1846. The family of Enos 
Kilborn lived near the Senter schoolhouse, where James 
Edson now resides. Their children were: 

I. Harriette Favoretta, b. June 5, 1834. "She was a suc- 
cessful teacher in the public schools and was a con- 
tributor to various periodicals. She was married 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 527 

Jan. 6, 1855, to Charles W. Farwell of West Bethel, 
Me., by Rev. David Allen, pastor of the Free Bap- 
tist Church of that place, where they resided several 
years, but finally settled on a farm in North Bridg- 
ton, Me., near the Highlands. They remained here 
over thirty years when ill health compelled Mr. Far- 
well to relinquish farming (an occupation in which 
he took great delight) and in 1896, they removed 
to Bethel. Mr. Farwell passed away on the last 
day of the year, much regretted by a large circle 
of friends by whom he was held in high esteem on 
account of his sterling integrity and attractive so- 
cial qualities." — (From Shaw Records"). Mrs. Har- 
riette F. Farwell, besides her various literary con- 
tributions to the periodical press, is the author and 
compiler of a notable book published in 1904, en- 
titled "Shaw Records," being a genealogical memorial 
of Roger Shaw, the pioneer of Hampton, N. H. 
(1638), and of his numerous descendants. Mrs. 
Farwell's poetical productions have been widely 
known through the columns of the Boston Culti- 
vator, Zion's Herald, Bridgton Nezvs, Bethel Nezvs, 
Oxford Democrat, The Word and Work, and other 
leading publications. She is the author of the Cen- 
tennial Ode, sung at the celebration of the looth 
anniversary of the Incorporation of Harrison, on 
Aug. 3, 1905. She is a resident of West Bethel, 
Me., at the age of seventy-four years. 

2. Helen Ann, b. June 17, 1835; died in Harrison, 
Apr. 15, 1843. 

3. William Henry, b. May 25, 1838; married ist, Sarah 
Jane Bryant of Poland, Me. He removed to Put- 
nam, Conn., and is the progenitor of a large family 
of sons and daughters. Mrs. Sarah J. Kilborn died 
in 1882. Mr. Kilborn married 2d, Agnes Hennesey 
of Boston. He lives in East Hartford, Conn., and 
is a carpenter in the employ of the N. Y., N. H. & 
Hartford R. R. "He is noted for his mechanical 
skill, and is wont to declare he can make anj-thing 
from a wooden nutmeg to a railroad bridge." (From 
Shaw Records.) 

4. Mary Elizabeth, b. Sept. 15, 1842; died in Harrison, 

Sept. 29, 1848. 



528 A HISTORY OF THE 

5. Eben Shaw, b. July i, 1846: married, Feb. 10, 1904, 
Joan, daughter of Mr. and !Mrs. S. Porter Stearns 
of South Paris. A[r. Kilborn is a resident of Bethel, 
Me., where he is extensively engaged in milling and 
lumbering ; also in real estate operations. He has 
served his town for five consecutive years in the 
board of Selectmen, and represented his district 
in the State Legislature in 1898. He is a Trustee 
of Gould's Academy ; one of the directors of Bethel 
Savings Bank ; is prominent in the ranks of Odd 
Fellowship and high up in Free Masonry. He has 
travelled much in his own country and in Europe. 
He is a liberal benefactor of churches and many 
enterprises for the benefit of his town and commu- 
nity. "Mrs. Rhoda Kilborn married 2d, Jonathan 
Peabody of Gilead. Me., who died in Nov., 1853. 
She afterward married Melvin Farwell of West 
Bethel. He died Aug. 20, 1866. She soon removed 
to Harrison Village, where she resided nearly twenty 
years. Her last days were spent with her daugh- 
ter, at North Bridgton, where she died Aug. 20, 
1866. just twenty years to a day, after the death 
of Mr. Farwell, at the same hour of the forenoon, 
at the age of eighty-one years. She lived a life of 
usefulness, and died lamented by a wide circle of 
friends." — (From Shaw Records.) 

Thomas D., b. Jan. 30, 1808 ; married Richardson, 

and settled in Sweden. 

Jacob V. R., b. Aug. 4, 1812; married, Nov. 13, 1845, Es- 
ther H., daughter of Rev. Joseph H. Phinney of Har- 
rison. She was born July 16, 1813: died in Harrison, 
Apr. 28, 1862. Mr. Kilborn died in Oakland, Cal., July 
I, 1907. Their children: 

I. Sarah E., b. Mar. 5, 1836: r rried Charles Glines 
of Bridgton, Oct. 21, 1852; tuey resided in North 
Bridgton, where she died Feb. 9, 1902. Their chil- 
dren, two sons: Freeman B., b. Dec. 25, 1857; mar- 
ried Rose Hezelton of Naples ; they have a son and 
daughter. William M., b. July 17, 1861 ; married 
jMande Anderson of Chatham. N. H. ; children : 
Louise, Charlie, Ruth, Mildren, Melvin. 




WlI-LIAM ThoMHS KlLBORN 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 529 

2. Frances E., b. Apr. 17, 1838; married Isaac Bur- 

kett of Thomaston, Me., May i, 1859; she lives in 
Thomaston : their children are: Alice, married Os- 
car M. Kelden of Boston; they live in New York. 
Tillie, married Oxten of Mass. Jessie, mar- 
ried 1st, Blackington; 2d, Tibbetts ; 

lives in Rockland, Me. Fanny, married ; lives in 
Thomaston. 

3. Emily P., b. Jan. 23, 1843; died Sept. 12, 1858. 

4. Eliza A., b. May 31, 1846; died in Boston, Jan. 15, 

1891. 

5. Rensellaer C, b. Jan. 24, 1853; married Lib- 

by of Windham, Me. : had a son and daughter ; 
they live at Morrill's Corner, Portland. 

WiLLLVM T., b. Dec. 20, 1814; died Nov. 22, 1818. 

Jesse G., b. May 8, 1817; no further record. 

William Thomes, b. May 17, 1819; he moved with his 
parents to Bridgton when he was 12 years old. He 
apprenticed himself to Deacon Nathaniel Potter, a car- 
penter, with the understanding that he might attend 
Bridgton Academy. Mr. Kilborn is, at 89, one of the 
oldest alumni of that school. After getting his trade, he 
was, for years, a leading builder in Bridgton. He also 
was proprietor of a furniture store, and had a well- 
equipped mill for manufacturing fine furniture for his 
own trade. In the last years of his residence in Bridg- 
ton, about 1845, he built for his own residence, the hand- 
some dwelling house opposite the Cumberland House, 
which was purchased and occupied many years as the 
home of Hon. Charles E. Gibbs. Mr. Kilborn moved 
to Portland in 1846 and built a house on Middle Street. 
He was a notable factor of mercantile business from his 
first residence in the city. In 1857, he was in the flour 
business on Commercial street. In i860, he sold out 
and purchased the Bergen carpet business on Free Street. 
In the great fire of 1866, he was burned out, and removed 
to the store now occupied by himself at 24 Free Street. 
He has the only strictly carpet store in Maine, and carries 
on a large business, requiring the services of sixteen men 
and women, salesmen and clerks. Mr. Kilborn at his 
advance;d age is yet active in promoting and managing 



530 A HISTORY OF THE 

the interests of the business, he has, by intelhgence and 
apphcation, spent the best years of his Hfe in estabhshing. 
Mr. Kilborn married ist, Mary Foster Walker, daughter 
of Benjamin and Sarah Walker of Bridgton, Me., Dec. 
4, 1846. She was born in Westbrook, Mar. 17, 1823, 
and died in Portland, Sept. 30, 1863. Children : 

1. Ann Walker, b. in Bridgton, May 31, 1849; mar- 
ried June 21, 1868, William Henry Jewett, b. in 
Sweden, Me., Sept. 8, 1845; died in Portland, Me., 
Feb. 22, 1903. Children : William Walker, b. 
in Bridgton, Mar. 30, 1869; married, Jan. 30, 1891, 
Mary Jane McGowen, (b. June 27, 1869, in Sc. 
Johns. Newfoundland). Children: Annie May, 
b. Feb. 15, 1892, in Portland. Caroline Walker, 
b. in Portland, Feb. 8, 1895. William Kilborn, b. 
in Portland, June 8, 1900. Frederick Joseph, b. in 
Bridgton, Sept. 9, 1873; married Etta Breitten, b. 
in Maine, Mar. 12, 1868; children: Fred Lewis, b. 
in Portland, July 5, 1894. Alice K., b. in Portland, 
Mar. 31, 1899. Philip Henry, b. in Portland, Nov. 
27, 1882 ; married, Jan. 25, 1906, Florence Marion 
Leith, b. in England, Dec. 12, 1886; children: An- 
nie Francis, b. in Portland, May 31, 1907. Gladys 
Shootall, b. in Portland, Feb. i, 1908. 

2. Lilla May, b. in Bridgton, Sept. 3, 1856: married 

Walter Weston Sabin, June 30, 1878, (b. in Put- 
nam, Vt., Nov. 28, 1853). Children: George Shaw, 
b. in Portland, Oct. 9, 1881 ; married TuUa Ellis 
Bowman, Jan. 8, 1907, (b. in Springfield, Mass., 
Oct. 30, 1879). Children: Henry Bowman, b. in 
Portland, Jan. 28, 1908. 

William Thomes Kilborn married second, Lucietta Sweet- 
sir Libby, October 4, 1864 (born July 26, 1842, daughter of 
Alvah Libby, born in Parsonsfield, Maine, November 6, 
1805, and Eunice Burnham Stuart, born in Scarboro, Maine, 
March 5, 1806). Children: 

3. Carrie Harward, b. in Portland, Aug. 21, 1865 ; mar- 
ried in Portland, Feb. 23, 1888, Augustus Champlin, 
b. in Waterville, Me., Mar. 8, 1842, and died in 
Portland, Sept. 12, 1897. Augustus Champlin was 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 53 1 

the son of Dr. James Tuft Champlin (b. in Lebanon, 
Conn., June 9, 181 1), and Mary Ann Pierce Champ- 
lin (b. in Providence, R. I., Sept. 7, 1815). Children: 
Mary, b. in Portland, Apr. 23, 1889. 

4. William Senter, and Alvah Stuart, twin sons, b. Sept. 

I, 1867. William Senter died Sept. 19, 1868. Al- 
vah Stuart married May Seavey (b. in Bangor, 
Mar. 17, 1877), Apr. 5, 1901. 

5. Philip Carlisle, b. Apr. 7, 1869; married Alice Dil- 

lingham Clark (b. in Bangor, Jan. 22, 1877), on 
June 5, 1898. She was the daughter of Charles 
Davis Clark (b. in Bangor, Feb. 25, 1842), and 
Catherine Dillingham Clark, (b. in Freeport, Me., 
July 5, 1848). Children: John Barstow, b. in Port- 
land, June 3, 1899. Edna Webb, b. in Portland, 
Dec. 31, 1900; died May 8, 1901. Helen, b. in 
Portland, Feb. 19, 1902. Ruth, b. in Portland, Sept. 
27, 1906. 

6. James Edward, b. in Portland, Aug. 13, 1871 ; mar- 

ried Oct. 4, 1893, Carrie May Goss, b. in Marble- 
head, Mass., May i, 1872, daughter of William Pier- 
point Goss (b. in Marblehead, Mass., July 7, 1850), 
and Annie Augusta Bartlett Goss (b. in Marblehead, 
Mass., Oct. 26, 1853). Children: William Thomes, 
b. in Portland, Sept. 23, 1897. 

7. Gertrude Libby, b. in Portland, Sept. 21, 1873 ; mar- 
ried Harry Badger Coe, Sept. 10, 1895 (b. Mar. 11, 
1866, son of Henry Hersey Coe (b. Dec. 15, 1835), 
and Francis Ellen Todd Coe (b. Apr. 9, 1839). 
Children: Philip Kilborn, b. in Portland, Sept. 3, 
1896. Kilborn Bray, b. in Portland, Mar. 25, 1898. 

8. Joseph Walker, b. in Portland, Nov. 26, 1875 ; mar- 

ried Mary Liscomb, (b. in Boston, Oct. 10, 1876), 
Dec. 19, 1900, daughter of John F. Liscomb (b. in 
Portland, Dec. 10, 1841), and Henrietta Ingram Lis- 
comb (b. in Aug., 1841). Children: Henrietta, b. 
in Portland, Nov. 29, 1901. Mary, b. in Portland, 
Apr. 10, 1904. 

9. William Thomes, Jr., b. in Portland, Sept. 19, 1879 ; 

married, May 29, 1907, Carlotta MacKinnon, b. in 
Portland, Sept. 24, 1882, daughter of Roderick Mac- 



532 A HISTORY OF THE 

Kinnon (b. in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 2, 1845), and 
Rosella Stiles MacKinnon (b. in Elgin, N. B., Oct. 
31, 1847)- 
10. Karl Bray, b. in Portland, Apr. 16, 1886; graduated 
from Bowdoin College in June, 1908 ; entered school 
of Technology in Boston, Mass., Oct., 1908. 

Samuel F., b. June 3, 1821 ; married Mary, daughter of 
Rev. Nathaniel Strout of Casco ; settled in Bridgton, 
and had three children. 

Eliza A., b. Feb. 25, 1824; married Theophilus Towne, 
and resided in Lawrence, Mass. 

Deborah S., b. Apr. 21, 1826; died Mar. 25, 1829. 

Benjamin F., b. Apr. 20, 1828; died Aug. 15, 1828. 

Deborah S., b. July 25, 1829 ; died Aug. 20, 1829. 

G. F. 



KNEELAND FAMILY. 

AARON KNEELAND of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 
came to Harrison in 1808. He married Hannah Ramsdell, 
probably of Topsfield. He was a brother of David Knee- 
land who came first to Bridgton, removing afterward to 
Otisfield. He had two sons, Asa and Ephraim. Aaron, 
the Harrison pioneer, located near the present town farm, 
on the farm many years the home of the late Deacon James 
G. Whitney. He died October 4, 1833, aged eighty-four. 
His widow died June 10, 1844, aged eighty-eight. Their 
children, all born in Massachusetts : 

Daniel, b. Oct. 23, 1774; lived in Ipswich, Mass.; had a 
daughter who married Joseph Andrews of Harrison. She 
died May 2^, 1861. 

Aaron, Jr., b. June 27, 1776; married Lucy Hobbs of 
Topsfield and lived there. He died Dec. 6, 1854. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 533 

Mary, b. Mar. 24, 1778; married George Hobbs of Tops- 
field; died July i, 1886. 

John, b. Nov. 28, 1780: married Rhoda Hobbs of Tops- 
field ; lived and died there, June 23, 1855. 

Moses, b. Nov. 16. 1782; married Priscilla Peabody and 
settled in Harrison. He had a large family. His de- 
scendants have long lived here and in nearby towns, but 
no records are available. 

Ezra, b. Oct. 6, 1784: married Polly Hezleton, and settled 
in this town. He died in Albany, May 30, 1858. 

Nehemiah, b. Feb. 24, 1787; died in infancy. 

Nehemiah, b. May 5, 1789; married Polly Goodhue; 
lived here ten years ; moved to Lincoln, Me. ; from there 
he went into the woods and carved out a farm from the 
dense forest ; and aided by his growing, stalwart sons, 
he built lumber mills, secured an incorporation for a 
town which he caused to be named Topsfield, for his 
Massachusetts birthplace. He lived to see five sons and 
two daughters all married and settled around him and 
his town a flourishing community. He died June 28, 
1867. 

Asa, b. Jan. 20, 1791, married Sally Kneeland ; lived sev- 
eral years in Harrison. He afterward moved East and 
died there. 

Simeon, b. Feb. 25, 1793 ; married Hannah, daughter of 
Elijah Richardson of Waterford, and settled in this town 
in the Senter district. He lived in several other places in 
town. He died in the family of George H., his son, 
Jan. I, 1873. His widow died in the same family, Sept. 
23, 1876. Their children : 

1. Daniel, b. July 27, 1820; married Mary E., daughter 
of John Kneeland, his uncle. Their children were: 
Mary, Osgood, Esther, Osborn, Harriet, Emily, 
Amanda, Charles H., and Freeman. This family 
was mostly born and lived in Massachusetts. Dan- 
iel Kneeland died in Waterford. Me. 

2. Charlotte, b. Oct. 21, 1821 ; married Charles x^ngier 

of Worcester, Mass. ; 2d, George H. Hamlin of 
Waterford. Mr Hamlin is deceased. Mrs. Hamlin 
lives with her unmarried daughter in Worcester. 



534 A HISTORY OF THE 

3. Esther R., b. Jan. 29, 1823 ; married Otis Bean of 

Worcester, Mass. ; both deceased. 

4. OHver P., b. Sept., 1824; died in infancy, Aug. 24, 

1825. 

5. Ohver Peirce, b. Aug. 11, 1824; married Frances 

Barker of Stoneham ; settled in Waterford. Chil- 
dren: Zenas and Ella; and by 2d wife, Caroline 
Richardson of Denmark: Sidney O., Cora and Lil- 
lian. He died in South Waterford, Nov. 26, 1887. 

6. Elizabeth E., b. Sept. 23, 1829; married J. Wales 

Brown of Worcester, Mass. She died May 11, 1881. 

7. Thomas Franklin, b. Feb. i, 1831 ; married Jane S., 

daughter of Joshua and Sally (Boothby) Hamblen 
of Lovell. They settled and have always lived in 
town. Their children : Herbert Oscar, b. Apr. 20, 
i860: married Abbie, daughter of William and Es- 
ther Needham of Harrison. They reside in Harri- 
son Village where Mr. Kneeland has been salesman 
in a large store for nearly twenty years past. Albert 
S., b. Mar. 17, 1866; married Jennie, daughter of 
Amos and Eunice (Burnell) Libby of North Bridg- 
ton. Mr. Kneeland is a prosperous farmer and busi- 
ness man. He resides in Harrison Village, in one 
of the oldest houses in the town, repaired, remodeled, 
and rejuvenated, in the midst of a handsome lawn. 
No children. Delano B., died in infancy. 

8. Haskell P., b. Oct. 14, 1832 ; married Marietta, daugh- 
ter of Tasker and Mehitable (Harmon) Seavey of 
Harrison. They lived in Worcester, Mass., several 
years, Mr. Kneeland being employed in the Wash- 
burn wire factory ; afterward lived in Harrison on a 
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kneeland were a number of 
years in charge of the Harrison town farm, and cus- 
todians of the property and inmates of the poor 
house. Their service for the town was performed 
very faithfully and with satisfaction to the public 
authorities. They had one daughter, Myrtie Bell, 
b. in June, 1867 ; married Frank T. McCann of 
Bridgton ; they have a son, b. Apr. — , 1907, named 
Haskell Sumner. Mr. Kneeland died in Bridgton, 
Nov., 1891. Mrs. Kneeland died in Bridgton. 




Rtv. George Edgar Kneeland 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 535 

9. George Henry, b. July i6, 1835 ; married Jane, daugh- 
ter of John and Sophia (Hamhn) Brown of Water- 
ford, Me., Aug. 20, 1863; settled in Harrison. 
They had one son, George Edgar, b. in Harrison, 
July 23, 1864. He was graduated from Bridgton 
High school, class of 1882, and from Cobb Divinity 
School, a department of Bates College in 1892. He 
was ordained in Lewiston on the day of his gradua- 
tion. He has held pastorates in Free Baptist 
churches in Fort Fairfield, West Bowdoin, East Cor- 
inth, North Lebanon, Candia, N. H., and is now hold- 
ing the charge of the ist and 2d churches in George- 
town, Me. 

10. Grinfill Blake, b. July 30, 1838; married Mary Whit- 

ney of Worcester, Mass. Their children : Harry 
and Frederick G. 

11. Charles B., b. Aug. 20, 1841 ; married May 9, 1871, 

Sarah Elizabeth Griswold of Meriden, Conn., b. 
Jan. 30, 1842, at Rocky Hill, Conn. They have a 
beautiful homestead in Bridgton Center, Me., the 
fine old residence of the late Dr. Nathaniel Pease. 
Their family consists of three daughters, all born 
in Bridgton and graduates from Bridgton High 
School. They are as follows : Lillie Julia, b. Apr. 
12, 1873; married Byron E. Harnden, Nov. 5. 1892. 
Florence Lucy, b. Oct. 9, 1876; married Alfred T. 
Keen, Nov. 17, 1895. Amy Morris Bradley, b. May 
26, 1888. These daughters all possessed excellent 
musical gifts and have been under competent in- 
structors. Amy, the third daughter, is a graduate 
in the music course from the N. E. Conservatory, 
Boston, and has taken a post graduate course in the 
same school. She is an accomplished vocalist and 
teacher of theory and practice of singing. She is 
now serving her third year as teacher and super- 
visor of music in the public schools of Presque Isle. 
Me., and is a popular singer and choir leader in 
one of the churches of that town. 

David Potter, b. May 24, 1798; married Mercy, daughter 
of James Watson, of Harrison, Jan. 21, 18 17, and set- 
tled here. Mr. Kneeland lived on several farms and 
was a successful farmer. He was all his life of pure 



536 A HISTORY OF THE 

and honorable character, and adorned his religious pro- 
fession in words and deeds. At the time of his decease, 
Jan. 19, 1858, he was the last surviving member of his 
father's family. Mrs. Mercy Kneeland died Oct. 12, 
1880. Their children were : 

I. Almon, b. June 23, 1817; married May 9, 1841, 
Dorcas, daughter of John and Sarah (Ridlon) Sands, 
b. Apr. II, 1821, in Standish. Mr. Kneeland was 
bred a farmer, and followed that vocation many 
years. In 1857, he left the farm and moved to 
Harrison Village, and engaged in the hotel business, 
at first occupying the old stand kept previously by 
Lewis Smith, Reuben Ingalis and others. In July 
15, i860, he purchased the house and other property 
formerly the residence of Francis Blake, and under 
the name of the Elm House, kept it as a public 
house of entertainment until his decease. As his 
principal helpmate and assistant, his good wife was 
entitled to much of the credit for the good name and 
popularity of the Elm House, with the traveling 
public, and in the estimation of the many summer 
guests who each summer sought rest and refresh- 
ment in this healthful retreat. Mr. Kneeland died 
Nov. 19, 1883. Mrs. Dorcas Kneeland, the widow, 
survives her husband at the age of 88 years and re- 
sides with her only daughter, a widow, Mrs. S. H. 
Ricker. Their children : Amelia Maria, b. June 10, 
1842: married Sherburn H. Ricker (See Ricker 
family). David P., b. Aug. 21, 1846; married Car- 
oline, daughter of Isaac and Anstice Walker of Har- 
rison, b. in Chatham, N. H., Apr. 15, 1844. David 
P. is the popular owner and manager of "The Elms."' 
Children : Jennie B., b. Mar. 12, 1861 ; married 
Ralph Burnham of Bridgton ; they reside in Har- 
rison ; they have one child, Leon, b. Oct. 21, 1886. 
Grace, b. July 23, 1870; married Fred Lamb. (See 
Lamb family.) James Theodore, b. Dec. 3, 1872; 
married Hattie, daughter of Lewis and Alfreda Ab- 
bott Green ; he is a prosperous merchant in his na- 
tive village. Herman Velzoa, b. June 29, 1877; mar- 
rie Nov. — , Evelyn Marcque of Harrison : he has 
been a carrier of the U. S. mail, under the system of 
"Rural Free Delivery, No. i," Harrison, since Mar., 




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TOWN OF HARRISON. 537 

1900. Orlando A., b. Feb. 8, 1849; married Mary, 
daughter of Hosea and Eliza (Estes) Huntress of 
Harrison; he was bred to the general business of 
hotel keeping for which he had much aptitude, and 
had a successful career for many years as landlord 
of popular hostelries in Harrison, Sebago Lake, Nor- 
way, Fryeburg and Hallowell, Ale. ; died in Hallo- 
well, Aug. 2, 1904. His widow resides in Harrison. 
Evans, b. Jan. 9, 185 1 ; he was a prominent business 
man in town ; of strict integrity and much respected 
by his fellow citizens. He died July 14, 1880: un- 
married. 

2. Eunice, b. Xov. 28, 1819; married in Harrison. Oct. 

18, 1842, Asa P. Whitney of Bridgton ( b. July 10, 
1819). They lived in Bridgton, Wahham. Mass., 
and many years in Harrison, and in Marshall, Minn. 
Mr. Whitney was the son of Rev. George W. Whit- 
ney of Bridgton, a minister of the Free Baptist 
church. He was well educated and in early life 
was a teacher in the common schools. He was em- 
ployed for years in a cotton factory at Waltham and 
Salmon Falls, N. H., but afterward moved to Har- 
rison with his family and engaged in farming, living 
with the father of his wife. He was a deacon in 
the Free Baptist church of Harrison while he re- 
sided here, and was the clerk of the Otisfield quar- 
terly meeting. Their children: Edward P., b. Nov. 
25, 1843 ; married Carrie W'hiting in Waltham, 
Alass. ; they had a son, Edward G. Mr. Whitney 
died in Harrison, Jan. 25, 1874. Charles C, b. in 
Salmon Falls, N. H. ; married ist, Mattie M. Boyle, 
2d, Millie A. Johnson of Bethel, Me. ; he resides 
in Marshall, Minn., and is a printer and newspaper 
publisher. Mrs. Eunice (Kneeland) Whitney died 
in Marshall, Alinn., Feb. 12, 1897. Deacon Asa P. 
Whitney died there Oct. 4, 1907, aged 88 years, 2I4 
months. 

3. Seth, b. June 24, 182 1 ; married Mary I., daughter of 

Simeon and Mary Whitney of Harrison (b. Apr. 13, 
1827), always lived in Harrison, was a good farmer, 
and an upright Christian citizen. He died Sept. 23, 
1898. His widow died Mar. 4, 1905. Their chil- 
dren were : Silas Kendall, b. Mar. 7, 1854 ; married 



538 A HISTORY OF THE 

Lizzie Hevvey ; resides in Lewiston or Auburn, Me. 
Walter Willis, b. June 11, 1856. Mary Addie, b. 
Aug. 18, 1858. Ernest Scott, b. Dec. i, 1861. Ar- 
thur Bean, b. May 20, 1867. Zula Augusta, b. Sept. 
20, 1869; resides in Harrison, Me. 

4. Mercy, b. Dec, 1823 ; married Benjamin Emerson, 

of Worcester, Mass. 

5. Christiana, b. Sept. 19, 1827; died July 19, 1871. 

6. Sabrina, married Horatio Johnson of Bethel, Me. 

She died in Bethel, June, 1877. 

7. Sarah, b. Mar. 4, 1830: married Newton Emerson 
of Worcester, Mass. ; lives in Saco. 

G. F. 



LAKIN FAMILY. 

JOSEPH LAKIN, the ancestor of the Lakin families 
in Harrison came from Groton, Massachusetts, very early 
in the last century and settled as a farmer. He was a man 
of much intelligence and business capacity. He married : 
ist, Polly Simonds ; 2d, Mrs. Cole, a widow. His chil- 
dren were : 

Jonathan, b. in Mass., in 1780. He married Jane Loring, 
and settled in Harrison. He was a good business man, 
a prosperous farmer, and a leading citizen in town and 
district affairs, serving the town repeatedly in public 
affairs. He died Jan. 10, 1873. Mrs. Lakin died Dec. 
6, 1861. Children were: 

I. John B., b. July 15, 1806; married Charlotte, daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Elizabeth Witham of Harrison. 
He settled in the south part of the town as a farmer. 
Children: Randall F., b. Sept. 2, 1841. George A., 
b. July 27, 1846. Annie M., b. Sept. 30, 1847. Em- 
ily E., b. Apr. 18, 1853; died Aug. 20, 1905. Mr. 
J. B. Lakin died Nov. 25, 1887. Mrs. Charlotte 
Lakin died . 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 539 

2. David Loring, b. Jan. 24, 1808: married Sophia H. 

Adams of Sebago, July 10, 1843, and settled near 
his birth-place as a farmer. He died Feb., 1882. 

3. Jane, b. Jan. 3, 1810; married Capt. James Ross. 

(See Ross family.) 

4. Jerusha A., b. Mar. 25, 1812; died Feb. 10, 1892. 

5. Thomas P., b. Apr. 12. 1814; married Isabel M., 

daughter of William Ridlon of Sebago ; resided in 
South Harrison as a farmer. Children: Almedia, 
b. Apr. 4, 1848; married Jan. i, 1870, John S. Went- 
worth of Harrison. (See John Stanley family.) 
Ezekiel, b. Feb. 10, 1850; married Sept. 25, 1884, 
Cynthia Frye : they have four children : Thomas 
Bradford, Bessie Pearl, Isabel C, and Charles H. ; 
they reside in Cunningham, Kansas. Josiah S., b. 
Aug. 28, 1852; married Nov. 15, 1884, Mary A. 
Drew ; children : Edgerton D., Jessie I., and Ruth 
C. They reside in Palo Alto, Cal. He has had 
a successful business career in Utah and California 
in the mining trade and dealing in mining properties. 
He is president of a real estate company in Palo Alto, 
Cal., and has accumulated a handsome fortune. 
James R., b. Dec. 28, 1855. Clara, b. May 11, 1858; 
married James D. Spaulding, May 12, 1886; one 
daughter, Isabel T. L., who is a teacher in the public 
schools in Salmon Falls, N. H. Annie B., b. Aug. 
18, 1861 ; married Sept. 18, 1887, Silas M. Stevens 
of Salmon Falls, N. H. Mr. Stevens died Aug. 18, 
1905. George L., b. June 26, 1867. Bradford O., 
b. Oct. 14, 1872. Mr. Thomas P. Lakin died June 
24, 1891. 

6. George W., b. Mar. 29, 1816; married Statira Clark. 

He went West and became distinguished as a law- 
yer. They had three children : Fannie, Mildred, and 
Charles. Mr. Lakin died Sept. 13, 1894. 

7. Elizabeth A., b. Apr. 18, 1818; married William 
Loring of Lynn, Mass., and resided there. She died 
in 1897. 

8. Ezekiel, b. Apr. 27, 1820. He was noted for his in- 

tellectual gifts and became a scholar. He died May 
15, 1846: unmarried. 

9. Eleanor M., b. July 15, 1822; died Oct. i, 1852. 



540 A HISTORY OF THE 

10. Charles Henry, b. Dec. i6, 1824; married Virene 

Merrow of Harrison, and settled on the parental 
homestead. Mr. C. H. Lakin died Aug. 12, 1905. 

11. Susan J., b. Mar., 1827; died Sept. 11, 1879. 

George P., b. in Sebago, Apr. 24, 1819, son of 2d wife of 
Joseph; married Philina Hannaford (b. Oct. 17, 1836), 
in Sebago, Dec. 22, 1854. He settled in Harrison at the 
head of Anonymous Pond. He was a mason, carpenter 
and farmer. Their children were : 

1. William Fred, b. July 29, 1856; married Sept. 6. 

1885, in Boston, Mary L. Sutton of that city. Chil- 
dren: Henry W., b. Oct. 6, 1886. Arthur E., b. 
Dec. 14, 1887. Ernest W., b. May, 1889. Grace 
M., b. Dec. 26, 1891. Arnold W., b. June 20, 1893. 
Francis L., b. Oct. 2, 1894. Ralph E., b. June 4, 
1899. 

2. Ada May, b. Oct. 23, 1870; married Dec. 18, 1889, 

Herbert S. Wood of Norway. Children : Bertha 
M., b. May 29, 18—. Alton M., b. Nov. 5, 1891. 
Arthur H. Fitzgerald, b. June 17, 1899. George L., 
b. Feb. 26, 1903. Walter V.. b. June 16, 1906. 

3. Maurice, b. June 16, 1874; married June 5, 1907, 

Lucia Barnard of North Bridgton. They reside 
on the homestead of his father. They are prominent 
members of Lakeside Grange, P. of H. 



LAR/IB FAMILY. 

ROBERT LAMB, born in Windham, May 26, 1779: 
married April 25, 1807, Fanny Caswell, born December 2, 
1787, daughter of Simeon and Rachel (Staples) Caswell 
of Harrison. Robert Lamb died in Harrison, April 11, 
185 1. Mrs. Fanny (Caswell) Lamb died May 14, 1882. 
Children : 

John Porterfield, b. in Harrison, Feb. 25, 1808; married 
Elizabeth Stiles, b. in Harrison, Jan. 5, 1805; Mr. Lamb 
died May 12, 1879. Mrs. Elizabeth (Stiles) Lamb died 
in Harrison, July 9, 1887. Children of John P. and 
Elizabeth S. Lamb : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. S4I 

1. Stephen Alfred, b. in Harrison, Nov. 2, 183 1 ; mar- 
ried Sarah P., daughter of Enoch and Mary (Cas- 
well) Haskell of Harrison. They reside in O.xford, 
Me. Their children ; James B., b. in Harrison, Nov. 
30, 1856; married Almira Blaisdell of Harrison in 
188 1 ; their son, Leo St. Clair, b. in Oxford, Feb. 22, 
1884; they reside in South Portland, Me. Fred S., 
b. in Harrison, Julv 13, 1866; married Grace D. 
Kneeland of Harrison, in 1889 ; their son, Ray Har- 
old, b. in Harrison, Apr. 25, 1890; they reside in Har- 
rison. John P., b. in Oxford, Mar. 26, 1874; mar- 
ried Alice F. Sanborn in 1901 ; their daughter, Grace 
Lubell, b. in Oxford, Apr. 16, 1902: they reside in 
Oxford, Me. Bertrand S., b. in Oxford, Sept. 21, 
1875 ; married Virginia A. Wight, daughter of Sam- 
uel K. and Martha Elizabeth (Hayes) Wight of Har- 
rison in 1901 ; their daughter, Lillian Annis, b. in 
Harrison, Apr. 23, 1903 ; they reside in South Port- 
land, Me. 

2. Robert S., second son of John Porterfield and Eliza- 
beth (Stiles) Lamb, b. in Harrison, Oct. 22, 1835, 
married Sophronia, daughter of Walker and Calista 
(Wight) Brackett. He died Apr. 13, 1864. 

3. Charles B., third son of John P. Lamb, b. in Harri- 

son, Apr. 8, 1841, married in Harrison, Jan. 30, 
1867, Atala Ann, daughter of Enoch and Mary 
Haskell of Harrison ; Charles B. Lamb died Sept. 
17, 1906. Their children : Ralph L., b. in Harrison, 
May 27, 1871, married \'esta O. Washburn, May 26, 
1894 ; settled in Mechanic Falls, Me. : they have 
one child, Glenroy Irvin, b. Nov. 23, 1896. Irvin A., 
b. in Harrison, May 9, 1873, married Etta M. Pulsi- 
fer of , Apr. 11, 1900; settled in Harrison. 

Robert, Jr., b. May 27, 1810 : died Sept. 10, 1832, un- 
married. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 28, 181 1 ; married William Haskell of 
Harrison, May 29, 1836. Mrs. Hannah ( Lamb ) Has- 
kell died May 6, 1884. 



542 A HISTORY OF THE 

LEWIS FAMILY. 

Perhaps no name familiar to Americans has been so 
widely disseminated through the English speaking countries 
as the name of Lewis. It is from Wales and was originally 
spelled Llewis. Many branches of the family have scat- 
tered through England, Scotland and the British Isles, and 
through the British Provinces and the United States. The 
Lewis family of Harrison was directly descended from 
William Lewis, who came from Wales to Boston in 1636, 
through Isaac, Isaac 2d, Abijah of Buxton, York County, 
Thomas of Bonny Eagle in Hollis and ABIJAH LEWIS, 
who married Betsy Eldridge of Buxton, February 24, 1785, 
and settled in the south part of Harrison. He had a large 
family, some of whom lived here. 
Abijah, son of Abijah last named, married ; 

his children were : 

1. Joseph; married Hannah Mason. 

2. George. 

3. Henry; married Elizabeth Jordan. 

4. Maria ; married Thomas H. Jordan. 

5. Harriet ; lived many years in the family of Hon. 
Marshall Cram in Bridgton and Brunswick, Me., 
where she died unmarried. 

6. Royal, married , and lived in Bridgton. 

7. Mary, b. Sept. 19, i8og ; married Elkana A. Little 

field of Bridgton ; they have one daughter : Ger- 
trude, married Rev. Wm. Nickerson, a Free Baptist 
clergyman, who is deceased. Mrs. Gertrude Nick- 
erson resides in Bridgton in her parental home. 

8. Clarke ; married in 1884, Ellen Hamlen ; they had a 

daughter, Jennie May who married Clarence Penlev 

of Bridgton. Wilfred, b. , 1890. Florence, 

b. , 1893. Ada, b. 1895. 

9. Jennie. 

Edward, son of Abijah 2nd, brother of Abijah 3d, married 

; lived in the "Lewis neighborhood," as a 

farmer. He had nine children: 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 543 



Charles. 

Edward, Jr. 

Mary. 

Sally. 

Marcia. 

Hosea. 

Mehitable. 

Alpheus. 

James. 



It is a matter for regret that no more particular record 
of that worthy family is conveniently obtainable. 

The following record of the family of Edward Lewis, 
Jr., is presented in incomplete form : 

Edw.'^rd, Jr., b. Apr. 4, 1819; married Nancy Sylvester 
of Bridgton, b. , 1853. Their children: 

1. Dustin, b. — 1853; died in infancy. 

2. Clara Ellen, b. May 4, 1854; married Clarence Bur- 
gess. Their children : Howard, Minta Melissa, Ada 
Belle, Bertha, Herbert, Cora. 

3. Austin Wheeler, b. Jan. 25, 1858. 

4. Melissa Dresser, b. Oct. 19, i860 ; married Quincy 

M. Chute. (See Chute family.) 

5. Robert, b. ; died in infancy. 

6. Oscar Warren, b. Mar. 10, 1864; married Mary Dil- 
lon ; lives in Mass. Their children : Helen, Lizzie, 
James, Margaret. 

7. Henrietta, b. Aug. 25, 1866; married Eldridge San- 
bom. Their children: Gertrude, b. Nov. 7, 1884: 
married George Roberts, Nov. 26, 1908. Luella, 
Maud C, Perley, Ernest, Ruby, Greta. 

8. Jesse Gay, b. ; married Mabel Kimball ; their 

children : William, Georgie, Ruth, Earle, Mary, 
Clara, Oscar W. 

The family of Mary, daughter of Edward Lewis, Senior, 
and sister of Edward, Jr., whose genealogy is given above, 
is here shown by names in order of birth, but incomplete : 



544 A HISTORY OF THE 

IMary, 3d child of Edward, Sr., b. • , 1842; married 

Abraham Gray of Lovell in 1842 ; he died Nov. 23, 1882. 
She died Sept. 11, 1880. Children: 

1. Arthur M. 

2. Zilpha. 

3. Mehitable. 

4. Mary Agnes, b. in 1848. 

5. Abram E., b. Feb. 11, 1850. 

6. Edward P., b. Apr. 8, 1853. 

7. Curtis, b. Nov. 16, 1855. 

8. Willie, b. Aug. 23, 1859. 



LIBBY FAMILY. 

This family has been represented in Harrison by migra- 
tion from other parts of the country at various times. 
The first family settling here is believed to have been 
that of CAPT. JETHRO LIBBY, who was born in Gor- 
ham, March 19, 1796. He was of stalwart frame and in- 
herited, through a number of generations, the vigorous 
mental and physical characteristics of his prime ancestor, 
John Libby, who came from England about 1630, and set- 
tled near Black Point in Scarborough. Tradition says that 
Capt. Libby was of almost gigantic size, and was en- 
dowed with wonderful physical strength. He married 
December 26, 1819, Olive Flood, daughter of ^Morris and 
Lydia (Roberts) Flood of Gorham. His occupation, best 
known to the people of this town, was as a canal boatman 
on the Cumberland and Oxford canal and the Sebago sys- 
tem of lakes from Harrison to Portland. Previous to 
that time he had been employed in the construction of the 
canal. He died in Harrison, August 26, 1840. His widow 
survived him many years, and died in Harrison, February 
14, 1872. The children of Jethro and Olive Flood Libby 
were : 




Cai'T. Elliott Liisbv 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 545 

Elliot, b. in Gorham, Sept. 23, 1820, married Frances 
Jane Tuttle. 

Lydi.\ Ann, b. in Raymond, July 20, 1822, married George 
W. Walker of Harrison. 

Mary Jane, b. Nov. 19, 1824, died June 14, 1846, un- 
married. 

Eliza Flood, b. Nov. 17, 1826, married Thos. Francis 
of New Market, N. H. 

Juliette, b. May 16, 1830, married Albion Kimball of 
Harrison; died June 26, 1888. 

Albert, b. April 27, 1832, in Naples, died June 19, 1846. 

LuciNDA, b. June 13, 1834, died Dec. 19, 1S43. 

Philena, b. Oct. 19, 1836, married May 9, 1854, Charles 
A. Gates. 

Jetiiro, b. Oct. 29, 1837, died Nov. 22, 1840. 

Alfred, b. May 11, 1839: married Aug. 10, 1865, Rosena, 
daughter of John and Olive (Plummer) Fields of Bridg- 
ton. He was formerly identified many years, from boy- 
hood, with the business of navigation of the lake and 
canal line from Harrison to Portland, and has worked 
at the shook making trade. He served honorably as a 
private in Company B., 23d Regiment Volunteer Infan- 
try in the Civil War. His first wife deceased Apr. 19, 
1888. He married for second wife, Elsie Corser of Har- 
rison, who died June 12, 1904. For third wife he mar- 
ried Apr. 25, 1907, Mrs. ]\Iary C. Ball of Harrison. 

The most conspicuous member of the family of Capt. 
Jethro Libby, was his eldest son, Elliot, who very early 
in life (he was working on a canal boat from eight years 
of age to twenty-five) succeeded to the business of his 
father, and soon became an owner and operator of several 
canal boats. For many years before and after 1850, trans- 
portation of the products of farm and forest by canal boats 
to the city markets, and on return trips, bringing great 
supplies of foreign and domestic merchandise to the traders 



546 A HISTORY OF THE 

in the several towns on this busy water route, was a fa- 
mous method ol interior commerce. Capt. Libby was also 
largely concerned for a number of years in shook making 
for the West India trade, and in other lines of the lumber- 
ing business. He was noted for his energy and faithful 
execution of all business intrusted to him. His most ac- 
tive career was in the middle of the nineteenth century, 
just previous and up to the era of the civil war. At that 
time his dealings in shook, hoop poles, etc., extended from 
Harrison to IMechanic Falls, and to Island Pond, \t. The 
civil war of 1861-5, caused great advancement in the prices 
of the agricultural products of the country, particularly 
of those grown in the South, and many men were induced 
to visit the border States of that section and engage in 
the raising of cotton, the most valuable staple for do- 
mestic manufacture and foreign commerce. Among the 
adventurous and ambitious men from New England to 
try his fortune in that business, was Capt. Libby, who in 
1864, went to North Carolina for the purpose of raising 
cotton on an extensive scale, as the world's market was 
then at its highest point, but his bright anticipations of suc- 
cess were destined to be destroyed by an unexpected cause 
and in November, 1864, only a few months after his ar- 
rival on the scene of operations, he was stricken by sick- 
ness, and died at Newbern, N. C. He married, November 
18, 1840, Frances Jane, daughter of Henry and Pauline 
Tuttle of Portland. They had children : 

Henrietta, b. Feb. 8, 1844; died Sept. 3, 1845. 

Juliette, b. Sept. 6, 1846; married Dec. 10, 1870, Charles 
Alvah Lang, present postmaster of Harrison, b. July 6, 
1838, in Georgetown, Mass. They had one child : Charles 
Libby Lang, b. in Denver, Col, Jan. 10, 18S2. He 
is a graduate of Bridgton Academy, and University of 
Maine. He is a teacher in the government schools of 
Porto Rico. 

Ella Isabel, b. Feb. 3, 1858; married William A. Wheeler 
of Lynn, Mass. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 547 

Arthur Willis, b. Nov. 23, 1859; married ist, Susan Inez 
Haskell of Harrison ; 2d, Georgiana M. Clements, daugh- 
ter of Thomas H. and Agnes (Bell) Clements of White 
Lands, Prince Edwards Island. The children of Ar- 
thur and Georgiana Libby are: Arthur Clements, b. 
Sept. 14, 1898: Bernice Crystal, b. Aug. 25, 1900; Mar- 
garet Aroline, b. Dec. 15, 1902; Irene Bell, b. July 19, 
1905; Baby not named, b. Mar. 12, 1908. 

Mr. Libby lives in Harrison Village and is proprietor 
of a large number of fine row boats for renting to summer 
guests of the village. He also cuts ice for supplying pri- 
vate families and hotels, and does jobs of wood sawing with 
gasoline power. 



ALLISON LIBBY FAMILY. 

The father of Allison Libby of Harrison, was Allison, 
a native of Scarborough, a not distant relative of Jethro. He 
served through the Revolution. 

He was one of the first settlers of Gorham. There was 
no road from Scarborough to Gorham corner, nor to Sacca- 
rappa. His only route was by Stroudwater Village, thence 
to Saccarappa, and by a logging road into Windham, on 
the east side of Presumpscot River, crossing on the ice at 
"Horsebeef" (Mallison) Falls and then by another logging 
road with all his possessions on an ox-sled to his lonely 
home in North Gorham, the farm occupied in recent years 
by William Wescott. He had thirteen children. 

ALLISON LIBBY, JR., fourth son of Allison, was bom 
in Gorham, March 8, 1787.' He married Lois Cross, daugh- 
ter of Dea. Thomas and Lucy (Hovey) Cross of Gorham. 
He settled in Harrison and resided in the north part of 
the town until 183 1, when he bought the farm in South 



548 A HISTORY OF THE 

Harrison, where he resided for many years and where 
his family of six children were born and raised. 

James P., died Nov. 21, 1812. a few weeks old. 

Harriet Cross, b. May 23. 1814; married Eben Richard- 
son. 

Leonard Cross, b. June 12, 1817; married Abigail B., 
daughter of Joshua and Joanna (Ross) Trafton. He was 
a good farmer, a kind neighbor and citizen. He died 
July 13, 1886. 

Caroline, b. May 27, 1819; married Nathaniel Harmon; 
2d, Daniel Richardson. 

Louisa, b. Dec. 15, 1820; married Daniel Richardson; 
died . 

Ann, b. July 15, 1822; married John Goddard. 

Mary Gage, b. Aug. 12, 1827; married Major Plaisted. 

]\Ir. Libby died in the home of his sister, Mrs. James 
Thomes, August 10, 1869. His wife died February 25, 
i860. The children of Leonard and Abigail Libby were: 

1. Charles Badger, b. Oct. 11. 1848; died Nov. 3, 1851. 

2. Ellen Preble, b. July 10, 1850; died Feb. 4, 1890. 

3. Herbert Appleton, b. Aug. 8, 1853; married Rose 
Edson. Their children are: Albert Carroll, b. Apr. 
29, 1886. Homer Trafton, b. Jan. 29, 1888. Ruth 
Cleveland, b. Aug. 17, 1892 ; died in infancy. Cora 
Ellen, b. Oct. 30, 1897. 

CAPT. CHARLES LIBBY. One of the best known of 
the Libbys of Harrison, was the late Capt. Charles Libby, 
second son of John Libby, born December 30, 1804. in 
Gorham ; married November 28, 1833, Sophronia, daughter 
of Ebenezer and Salome (Green) Shaw, of Standish. Capt. 
Libby was a farmer for eight years after his marriage, 
when he removed to Harrison \illage, (1841). where he 
followed shook making, boating on the canal, working in 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 54Q 

the wire factory, and other occupations. He was an in- 
dustrious man, and universally esteemed. He was the au- 
thor of many funny sayings still extant. He had a faculty 
to utter things which were very ludicrous without seeming 
to be conscious of it. One time the Captain was confined 
to the house for a day or two : his physician examined him 
and pronounced his ailment a case of "shingles." When 
he was well enough to be "out" he was asked by one of 
his neighbors what had ailed him that had caused his ill- 
ness. "O, the doctor said I had the claboards," said the 
Captain, without a smile. Once while working on the old 
steamer "Fawn," as she was coming up the lake on a late 
trip in September, the evening star appeared in the West, 
illuminating the twilight. The passengers on board were 
passing remarks on the rare beauty of the evening sky, 
and as the brilliant orb was discovered, an admiring ob- 
server exclaimed, "O, there's Venus ! Say Mr.," addressing 
the busy man on the deck, "Isn't that Venus?" The Cap- 
tain gave a look with the only good eye he had, and with 
a knowing and confident air, replied: "Yes, that's Zenus." 
Captain Charles and Sophronia Libby had one child, Ros- 
well, born July 23, 1835 ; married November 22, 1863, 
Achsah C, daughter of Asa and Olive (Charles) Brickett 
of Stow. He run a canal boat fourteen years, and during 
the remainder of his life, worked mostly at shook making. 
He served faithfully as a private in Co. B., 23d Me. Vol. 
Infantry in the Civil War. He died February 4, 1876. 
His widow married July 10, 1880, Joseph S. Walker of 
Fryeburg. Roswell and Achsah Libby had a daughter, 
Zoa Alabel, bom February 17, 1858. 

ABNER LIBBY, born in Scarborough, August 17, 1797, 
son of Dominicus and Dorothy (Small) Libby, married 
Harriet Xewbegin, lived in Harrison for years in the mid- 
dle of the last century on the farm now owned by Henry 
C. Packard, in South Harrison. In 1855, he sold said 



550 A HISTORY OF THE 

farm to James Ross and purchased the property of Har- 
rison Blake, Esq., at Harrison \ illage. He sold his vil- 
lage property about 1863, and removed to South Paris. He 
died June 16, 1866, and his widow died in 1884. Their 
remains were brought for interment to the little cemetery 
adjoining the farm where they first lived in town, to which 
they were greatly attached in their lives. They had two 
sons: Plummer A., Frank, and a daughter, Harriet El- 
len. Plummer, married Melinda Fogg of Harrison, and 
migrated to the West about 1863. Frank married Clara 
Parker of Norway. They had two children, Frank and 
Laurence. Harriet Ellen married Swasey Burnell of South 
Paris, and resides there. 

AMOS LIBBY, son of James Libby of Limington (from 
1818 to his death, March 2. 1868, aged 69 years, a resi- 
dent of "New Limington," Bridgton), was for a number 
of years a resident of Harrison. He married Jane B. 
daughter of Rev. Joseph Phinney, of Harrison. She was 
born December 9, 1816. They resided quite a number of 
years on the old Phinney homestead in South Harrison, 
and at Harrison Village, and also at Bridgton Center. 
They had two daughters, Abbie J. and Helen, and two 
sons, Edwin and Herbert. Abbie married Rev. Charles 
W. Foster of Harrison, who became a much esteemed min- 
ister of the Free Baptist denomination. He died in . 

Helen married Preston Hamlin of Bridgton. She was 
gifted with a sweet and powerful voice and her singing 
was much admired. She died while traveling on a tour 
of concerts with a popular company. Herbert has resided 
in Portland and was for a number of years assistant Clerk 
of Courts of Cumberland Countv. 



TOWN OF HARRISOX. 



D.-!' 



LOWELL FAMILY. 

This was one of the best known families for more than 
half a century. They came from Windham and are de- 
scended from JOHN LOWELL of Westbrook, whose wife 
was Mary Chatman or Chapman. John Lowell Hved a 
while in Harrison but died in the town of Windham. His 
children were : 

Edward ; married Martha Lamb of Otisfield. He was 
here before the beginning of the 19th century. He was 
one of the leaders in the movement for incorporation 
in 1805, and was elected to several offices at the first 
town meeting, viz. : Surveyor of highways, t>thingman 
and field driver; died Oct. i, 1847. His wife died Aug. 
25, 1845. Children: 

1. John P., b. in Harrison in 1801 ; married Eliza, 

daughter of Capt. John Brackett of Harrison, Jan. 
27, 1824; lived some time in Harrison; kept a tav- 
ern a number of years at Harrison Village. (See 
hotels.) He afterward settled in Mason and lived 
there many years. Their children were : Abby, Ira, 
Grinfill, Charles, Elihu, and others. 

2. Edward, b. in Harrison ; married Sally Edes of 

Otisfield, Jan. 27, 1829: settled on Oak Hill in 
that town and had children. 

3. Simon, b. in Harrison ; married Ann Robinson ; lived 

between Caswell's Corner and Ryefield Bridge in 
Harrison. Their children were : Nelson, b. June 
24, 1827. Emery E., b. Feb. 4, 1829. Mary Maria, 
b. Oct. 15, 1831. Rosanna, b. Apr. 16, 1S37. Eliz- 
abeth D., b. July 20, 1842. 

4. George, b. in 18 — ; married Lucinda Inman ; went 
eastward ; deceased. 

5. Martha Ann; married John Brackett, Jan. 13, 1828. 

(See Brackett family.) 

6. James P. ; married Eliza, daughter of Joseph Lom- 

bard of Otisfield, and settled on the homestead of 
his father. Children : Lucinda : married Albert 
Caswell. Herman ; married Rebecca Elden. Han- 



552 A HISTORY OF THE 

nah. Willis C, b. Mar. 29, 1861 ; married Isabel 
Maude Cummings (See Cummings family) ; died 
June ID, 1899. 

James P. Lowell was a farmer and carpenter ; a man 
of excellent character and good moral principles. He was 
an ardent advocate of temperance reform in the olden 
days of the Temperance Watchmen Clubs in the 50's ; he 
died from heart disease, in 1870. 

7. Marshall, b. in Harrison ; was a blacksmith by trade ; 

lived in Kennebunk. 

8. Hannah; married Joseph L. Brackett. (See Brack- 
ett family.) 

9. Catherine ; died in youth. 

No other members of the Lowell family have ever re- 
sided permanently in Harrison. It is a matter for sincere 
regret that no more complete data could be supplied for 
preparation of the history of this family. 



MORSE FAMILY. 

The writer remembers MR. DAN MORSE nearly eighty 
years ago. He lived in a wide, old looking house nearby 
the millpond and only a few rods from the stately mansion 
of Dr. David Ray, the pioneer of 1780. The locality is 
known to many as "Holdenville" in token of the succession 
of ownership of the Ray homestead, land and mills, in 
years after Dr. Ray's death by Henry Holden, son-in-law, 
and husband of Abigail, the fourth daughter of David and 
Eunice Whiting Ray. Mr. Morse — "Uncle Dan" we al- 
ways called him, was the owner of the grist mill as a portion 
of the dowry of his wife, Eunice, the oldest of the Ray 
daughters, while the saw mill in a similar manner became 
an asset of the Holden family. I do not know the date 
of Uncle Dan Morse's birth nor in what place he was 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 553 

born, but, as he died November 25, 1846, aged seventy-nine 
years, he was born in 1767. It is believed he came from the 
native home of Dr. Ray in Massachusetts, and was ac- 
quainted with the family of his father-in-law many years 
before his marriage about 1796. The genealogy of the fam- 
ily is as follows: 

David Ray, only son of Dan ■\Iorse, b. in Otisfield, July 15, 
1797 ; died in Harrison, Nov. 14, 1876. He married 
Betsy, daughter of Rev. Thomas Roby, the first Con- 
gregational minister in Otisfield. She was born March 
31, 1800. She was a woman of fine intellect; exceeding- 
ly kind-hearted, a lover of her home and she had the 
best regards of those who knew her best. She died in 
Harrison, Oct. 24, 1866. Their children were: 

1. Albion K., b. Aug. 21, 1826; died in Harrison, Mar. 

II, 1906. 

2. Eunice O., b. Apr. — , 1828. She died in Atlanta, 
Ga., Nov. 8, 1854, while sojourning there in quest 
of relief from ill health. 

David Morse sold his property in Otisfield about 1833, 
and removed to Harrison Village, and settled on the site 
of the residence of Postmaster Lang, a part of the Lang 
home being the old Morse house. Mr. Morse at once set 
up the blacksmithing business in a shop located on the cor- 
ner of Main and Mill streets in the corner of the fine lawn 
of the present Lang homestead. There he enjoyed for years 
a very brisk trade, employing a number of helpers, and 
at one time had two or more apprentices. He acquired a 
competence sufficient to enable him to retire from business 
after a number of years. He owned some lands besides 
his homestead, and was a substantial and much respected 
citizen. 

Albion K. Morse was, from his early years, a resident 
of Harrison Village and was at various times engaged in 
business. He was in public office as Town Treasurer and 
postmaster, and was influential in local and State politics. 



554 A HISTORY OF THE 

He improved the homestead and other properties to which 
he succeeded from his father, and by wise management 
added to the value of his estate. 



MOULTON FAMILY. 

Only one family of this name has resided in Harrison — 
that of EBEN MOULTON, born November 5, 18 10, son 
of Daniel and Anna (Shaw) Moulton of Gorham, who 
came from Gorham to Harrison in 1849, and settled in 
the Johnson neighborhood in South Harrison. He mar- 
ried April 15, 1845, Abigail, daughter of Simon and Abi- 
gail (Plaisted) Moulton of Standish, born November 18, 
181 1. Mr. Moulton was a man of fine natural abilities, 
and had wide information on many subjects as the result 
of reading many books, and was able to discuss any subject 
of a political or religious nature with acute intelligence. 
He was always deeply interested in the public affairs of 
the town, and was generally ready to criticise any measure 
proposed for action by the town, or to ask questions on 
the subject. 

He was a cooper by trade and had a well equipped 
cooper shop at his home, where he made tubs, firkins, etc. 
He had a good farm which extended a mile westerly to the 
shore of Long Pond. He was a good farmer, and a very 
hard worker. His character for morality and uprightness 
in business dealing was unimpeachable. His wife was a 
tailoress by trade and during her early life, was accustomed 
to make up suits of clothes for the townspeople. 

They were both of them kind and obliging as neighbors, 
and were always ready and willing to assist in cases of 
sickness or death. Mr. Eben Moulton died November 8, 
1887. Mrs. Abigail Moulton died September 22, 1894. 




Alphonso Moultun, Esq. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 355 

One son, x\lplionso, was born to this worthy pair, his 
birth occurring July i6, 1847. 

ALPHONSO MOULTON was from a child of a stu- 
dious habit, and in the district school, was a bright and 
leading pupil. He was so fond of study in school that he 
generally extended the terms of his tuition under teachers 
by attending any of the schools in his end of the town that 
were in session beyond the close of his own district school. 
He attended Bridgton Academy one term each year for 
four successive years, his last term being in the autumn 
of 1866. For the next three years he taught several terms 
of district school. But feeling that his success as a teacher 
did not measure up to the standard of his anticipations, 
and having some distaste towards the pedagogical profes- 
sion, he retired from the school room. Mr. Moulton be- 
came united in marriage, March 27, 1869, to Miss Etta 
A. Ross, daughter of James and Jane (Lakin) Ross of 
Harrison. They were childhood acquaintances and school- 
mates and their union was a happy one, a blending of 
tastes and sympathies that gave an enjoyable zest to their 
lives. Together they affiliated themselves with the social 
institutions of their choice, and in unison they participated 
in whatever came to them of pleasure or pain. He set- 
tled on the farm with his father, and engaged in farming 
in which he was very much interested. 

He was very active in promoting the success of the 
Farm.ers" Club, in the early years of his manhood, and after- 
wards was for a time Secretary of the Northern Cumber 
land Agricultural Society. 

Since the year of 1874, when the first Lakeside Grange 
was organized, he has been continuously in the order, as 
during the interim between the death of the first and the 
organization of the present Grange in 1901, he was affiliated 
with Crooked River Grange. He was almost every vear 



556 A HISTORY OF THE 

in office in Lakeside Grange as Master, Secretary or Lec- 
turer. He was a member of the building committee on 
the erection of the Grange Hall in 1905. Since the date 
of the organization of Harrison Lodge, L O. O. F., March 
14, 1889, Mr. jNIoulton was a worthy and highly esteemed 
member. 

He was very conspicuous as a member of the school 
committee and as Supervisor from 1879 nearly all the 
years excepting from 1895 to 1901, when he was an In- 
spector of Customs in the Custom House in Portland. 
Since 1902, he was continuously in office by annual elec- 
tion, as Superintendent of Schools. His faithfulness and 
efficiency in that sphere of public service, had endeared 
him to the whole teaching faculty, and as well to the pupils, 
who were always glad to see him on his stated visits to 
the schools. He was a member of the Board of Trustees 
of Bridgton Academy since 1892, and in 1907, he was 
elected Secretary of the board as successor to Geo. E. 
Chadbourne, retired, and of the Alumni Association. 

Mr. Moulton as an ardent promoter of any movement 
for the diffusion of knowledge to the mass of the people, 
co-operated with alacrity to perfect the organization of 
the Harrison Public Library Association, by its incorpo- 
ration as a Free Public Library. 

Mr. Moulton's love for books as a means of acquiring 
information, amounted to a passion, and for at least twenty- 
five years he had been steadily accumulating a library of 
his own, which at the time of his decease had grown to 
upwards of a thousand volumes. They completely fill a 
number of large cases. There are all the standard Ameri- 
can Dictionaries and several sets of the best Cyclopjedias, 
and other reference books needed by the scholar or business 
man. As a Justice of the Peace for nearly twenty years, 
he had the requisite books of the public laws and legal 
forms, for aids in drawing deeds and other legal instru- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 557 

ments. He drew the articles of incorporation of the Odd 
Fellows, the Grange and the Public Library. He has been 
of much assistance to his townspeople in the settlement of 
estates of deceased persons in the probate court and attend- 
ing to other business such as a lawyer might be called to 
perform. 

Mr. Moulton was by education and affiliation a Democrat 
in politics, and served many years on the town and county 
committee for his party. He was not a partisan in the 
fullest sense, but had independence sufficient to cause him 
to differ from his party when he felt it was pledged to a 
false principle of action. So in 1896, he bolted from the 
platform of "sixteen to one" and voted for William Mc- 
Kinley for President. 

In the closing years of Mr. Moulton's life occurred the 
event of the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of 
the incorporation of the town. It was an occasion to 
arouse all the latent patriotic spirit in the heart of every 
citizen. The town appropriated a generous sum of money, 
and an adequate committee of citizens was elected to super- 
intend the preparations for the great event of the century. 
Mr. Aloulton was elected secretary of the committee, and 
the records of the transactions of the committee attest 
to the promptness and thoroughness of the work of its 
secretary. 

An important act of the town, after the Centennial 
event was to authorize the preparation of a history of the 
acts of the town and of its executive committee pertaining 
to the celebration of centennial day, said work to include 
a succinct record of the history of the families of the first 
settlers of the town and other families of note residing here. 
Mr. Moulton was elected as the chief author and compiler 
of the centennial history, with Howard L. Sampson as 
his assistant. It was an appointment most highly appre- 
ciated by him, as it appealed to his pride of citizenship, 
and afforded an unusual opportunity to exercise his lit- 



558 A HISTORY OF THE 

erary ability in a higher field of authorship than any in 
which he had been engaged. He assumed the duties 
of historian very soon after the centennial event was past, 
and entered upon the execution of the work with great 
vigor and alacrity. The pages of this volume afford ample 
illustration of the mental power of portraiture by language 
of his impressions of events and of individuals, possessed 
by him. The records of public occurrences for a century 
past concerning business and social life were largely col- 
lected and with great patience and strict application for 
many months, reduced to correct form for the printer. 
He felt the responsibility upon him and formulated all his 
plans with conscientious regard to the interests of the pub- 
lic and its desire for a speedy execution of the commission 
of writing and publishing the work entrusted to his care 
and judgment. But Mr. Moulton chose to be deliberate 
and not to spoil his work by undue or reckless haste. It 
is probable that not a day passed that did not witness to 
the addition of much important matter for record, and to 
several hours' work with pen or typewriter, or both. His 
manner of writing the sketches of his townsmen and women 
shows that he was dominated by the best impulses of the 
heart — those of strict justice and affectionate regard. He 
could not stint himself to a simple, brief, cold record of 
the fact of the existence of a person to whom he had 
become attached by the incident of political or fraternal 
association, so he imparted to his short personal biog- 
raphies in some cases an elaborate treatment, showing evi- 
dence of quite intense friendship that borders on the do- 
main of eulogy. And did they not deserve it? 

The spring of 1908, found Mr. Moulton experiencing 
increasing illness, obliging him to consult his family phy- 
sician and take specific treatment for his debility. The 
most approved advice and treatment by skilled physicians 
was availed of. but no permanent relief could be found. 
He lingered still hoping, for a few weeks, and on the 28th 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 559 

of June, the lamp of his frail life expired. If human or 
brotherly and sisterly demonstrations of regard can as- 
suage the pangs of regret, they were all given in full 
measure at the sacred obsequies, and the earth-life of the 
departed brother and friend was treasured as a sweet and 
enduring memory. 

"Full many noble friends my soul hath known, 
Women and men who in my memory 
Have sown such beauty as can never die ; 
And many times when I seem all alone, 
Within my heart I call up one by one 
The joys I shared with them, the unlaced hours 
Of laughing thoughts, that came and went like flavors, 
In higher argument, Apollo's own : 
Those listening eyes that gave nobility 
To humblest verses, writ and read for love. 
Those burning words of high democracy. 
Those doubts that through the abyss would rove 
And lean o'er chasms that took away the breath — 
When I forget them, may it be in death." 



NEWCOMB FAMILY. 

The name of Newcomb is of Saxon origin and has been 
known in England since the twentieth century, under differ- 
ent forms : — Newcomer, Newcome, Newcomen, Newcombe, 
and Newcomb. The men of the Newcomb line, possessed re- 
markable virility from remote times in evidence of which, 
very large and sturdy families are recorded in their book 
of genealogy. Lieutenant Andrew Newcomb of England, 
in the seventeenth century, had fifteen children, and similar 
examples have occurred frequently in later generations, 
Simon, of the Harrison branch, was the father of twenty- 
one, according to the record ; some reports say twenty- 
five ; others twenty-seven, by two wives. The name is 



560 A HISTORY OF THE 

distinguished in our country for tlie number of persons 
who have been eminent in science and general learning; 
also for their patriotic services to their native land and pro- 
motion to high rank in the United States army and navy. 
The ancestor of Thomas Newcomb of Harrison, was 
ELISHA NEWCOMBE, born in Buxton, January 10, 
1776; married October 13, 1799. Rebecca, daughter of Abi- 
jah Lewis, born August 29, 1779. They came to Harrison 
about 1800. Their children were : 

Thomas, b. in Bridgton, Dec. 20, 1803 ; married Oct. 17, 
1830, Sarah Curtis, daughter of Reuben and Rebecca 
Ingalls of Bridgton ; after a long life residence in Har- 
rison, he removed with his aged wife to Bridgton and 
died there Jan. 27, 1892. Mrs. Newcomb pre-deceased 
him Sept. 25, 1889; children, born in Harrison: 

1. Mary Elizabeth, b. Aug. 9, 1831 ; married Aug. 3, 

185 1, Nathan Carsley, 3d, of Harrison. (See Cars- 
ley family.) 

2. Thomas Lewis, b. May 17, 1834; married Apr., 

1856, Amy C. Smith of Bridgton; children: Alfred 
Austin, b. Nov. 8, 1858. Emma Alice, b. Feb. 17, 
1862. Sarah Ann, b. Jan. 14, 1865. Willie Thomas, 
b. July 27, 1867. Susie, b. Dec. 26, 1871. Thomas 
L. Newcomb died in Norway, Feb. 2, 1907. 

3. Charles Henry, b. Aug. 10, 1836; died Sept. 21, 

1853- 

4. Sumner, b. Sept. 15, 1838; died Oct. 15, 183S. 

5. Ann, b. Nov. 17, 1840; died Mar. 20, 1843. 

6. George Washington, b. Dec. 5, 1842 ; married Oct. 

27, 1867, Abbie M., daughter of Otis and Eliza Wil- 
kins Trafton of Harrison. (See Trafton family.) 
Their children : Foneta Abbie, b. July 5, 1876 ; mar- 
ried Nov. 3, 1897, Benjamin Iredale of Bridgton. 
A daughter, b. in 1880, died in infancy. Sumner 
Otis, b. Nov. 27, 1880; married Aug. 3, 1905, M. 
Augusta, daughter of Dr. William and Phebe Deshon 
Albee of Rockland, Me. 

7. Sarah JMaria, b. Apr. 22. 1845 ; died Oct. 26, 1855. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. SOl 

8. Emily Jane, b. Aug. 6, 1852 ; married to Stephen W. 
Taylor of Byron, Me., Mar. 10, 1873, in North 
Bridgton, Me., by Rev. Nathaniel Lincoln. Mr. and 
Mrs. Taylor were both school teachers before their 
marriage. After that event, Mr. Taylor studied 
dentistry and has practiced that art for many years. 
Children of Dr. and Mrs. Taylor : Richard Thomas, 
b. Jan. 28, 1874. George Austin, b. Mar. 27, 1875. 
Infant, deceased June 10, 1876. John Stephen, b. 
Jan. 29, 1878. James Arthur, b. Mar. 4, 1881 ; mar- 
ried Sept. 25, 1907, Myrtilla L. Smith of Dixmont, 
Me.; they have a son, b. Dec. 21, 1908. Sarah Mir- 
iam, b. May 15, 1883. Virgil DeWitt, b. Mar. 18, 
1885. Victor Royal, b. Nov. 18, 1887; died Jan. 
II, 1898. Asaph Warren, b. Mar. 16, 1900. 
Thurlow, b. Jan. 20, 1895. Robert Clement, b. Jan. 
II, 1893. Asaph Warren, b. Mar. 16, 1900. 

Mrs. Abbie Trafton, ist wife of Geo. W. Newcomb, 
died in Bridgton, October 22, 1891. Mr. Newcomb mar- 
ried for second wife, Elizabeth M., daughter of John and 
Charity (Davis) McRoberts of North Baldwin, Maine. 
Mr. Newcomb, after a lengthy residence in his na- 
tive town, during which he was considerably identified 
with the business and public affairs of the town, removed 

in , to Bridgton, where for about — years, he owned 

and managed a large livery stable. He has been for a 
number of years past, engaged in lumbering business in 
several counties of the State. 

SIMON NEWCOMB, born in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, about 
1773; married November 20, 1794, Sally Moody in Bux- 
ton, Maine; removed to Harrison in 1804. Mrs. New- 
comb died November 26, 1836, aged sixty-three years, nine 
months. Mr. Newcomb died in 1861, in the home of his 
grandson, James R. Newcomb. Simon, second son of Si- 
mon, born June 6, 1803 ; married May 4, 1822, Eunice 
Whitney, daughter of Enoch, who was eldest son of Moses 
Whitney, a pioneer settler. Their children were: 



562 A HISTORY OF THE 

James Ross, b. June 26, 1824; he was a carpenter and 
carriage maker; married Dec. i, 1849, Mary G., daugh- 
ter of Henry and Hannah Rand ; moved to Monroe, Me., 
and settled there ; had three sons : Albert, Frederick and 
George. 

Andrew Hobson. b. June 20, 1826; was a carpenter; mar- 
ried Eliza F. Evans, who died in 1859. He married 2d, 
Jan. I, 1865, Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Hannah 
W. Chadbourne ; resided in Newburyport, Mass. 

Susanna Carsley, b. Dec. 6, 1829 ; married Calvin Dawes, 
who died in i860 ; married 2d, Warren Purinton ; 
3d, in 1870, Lowell V. Foster ; she had by first husband, 
two children : Elvie F. and Charles Edgar ; by second 
husband, one son: Henry Lemont. 

Eleazar Whitney, b. Oct. 16, 1831 ; he was a carpenter; 
married Apr. 28, 1856, Ellen, daughter of James and 
Ruth (Wentworth) Brown of Brownfield, Me.; lived 
in Brownfield and Harrison. He served as a private in 
Co. B, 23d Me. Inf. in the Civil War, from Sept. 29, 
1862, to July 13, 1863: he lived in Alarblehead, Mass., in 
1865; Chicago. 1868; Plattsmouth. Xebr.. 1869. and has 
been since in Soldiers' Home, Los Angeles, Cal. 

Abigail Lewis, b. Mar. 16, 1833; married Albert Bassett 
of Amesbury. Mass.; died Apr., 1869; had daughters; 
Agnes and Adelaide. 

Sarah, b. Mar. 30, 1835 ; married June, 1856, Simon Pur- 
rinton of Harrison ; resides there ; no children. 

Albert, b. June 16, 1839; died Aug. 6. 1846. 

Maria Carsley, b. Sept. 5. 1840; died Sept. 12, 1849. 

Alanson Mellen, b. Sept., 1844; died July 20, 1849. 

Rhody Ann, d. Sept. 11. . 

Emily Jane; died Sept. 23, 1849. 

Albert Mellen. b. Sept. 5, 1848. 

Mrs. Eunice (Whitney) Newcomb died August 29, 1856. 
Mr. Newcomb married 2d, Mary Richards, by whom he 
had children as follows : 

Eunice Ann, b. Oct. 20, 1858. 

Ella Nora, b. Jan. 7, i860; died July 15, 1864. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 563 

George W., b. Sept. 23, 1862; died July 10, 1864. 

Simon Osgood, b. Dec. 29, 1863 ; died July 8, 1864. 

Ella Isabel, b. Dec. 19, 1865. 

Nathan Carsley. b. Sept. 9, 1866. 

Nora Melvina, b. Jan. 19, 1868. 

Elbridge E., b. July 31, 1870; married Nellie, daughter of 
John and Mary Kilgore of Waterford, Me. They have 
one son, Walter Newcomb. 



PEIRCE FAMILY. 

The name of Peirce in the annals of Otisfield and Har- 
rison has been distinguished for its intimate connection 
with the social, business, and political advancement of those 
towns during a period of more than one hundred years. 
The American ancestor of this line was John Peirce, (or- 
iginally spelled "Pers"), a weaver by trade, who emigrated 
from Norwich, Norfolk County, England, in 1637, and 
settled in Watertown, in the colony of Massachusetts. 

generations. 

1. John Peirce. 

2. Anthony Peirce, born in England, 1609. 

3. Joseph Peirce, son of Anthony. 

4. Joseph, Jr.. son of Joseph, was born Oct. 2, 1669, 

died ilarch 3, 1753. 

5. George, son of Joseph, Jr., was born Feb. 2, 1696 ; 

had nine children ; died in Weston, Mass., Dec. 22, 
1750. 

6. George, Jr., son of George, was born in Watertown, 

Mass., Feb. 14, 1734. He was the first settler of 
Otisfield, and married Deborah Tarbelle. They had 
four children. 

7. Oliver, son of George, Jr., was born in Groton, Mass., 

July 22, 1767. He married Susanna, or "Sukey"' 
Haskell, daughter of William Haskell of Gorham, 
and in 1825, settled in Harrison, where he resided 
during the remainder of his life. 



564 A HISTORY OF THE 

The following is an extract from "A Record of the 
Posterity of John Pers, an early inhabitant of Watertown, 
in New England," by Frederick Clifton Peirce, Worcester, 
Mass., published in 1880: 

"The name Peirce — or Pierce, as the name is more 
commonly spelled — is undoubtedly derived from the French 
name Pierre, or Piers, of considerable antiquit}- — 14th cen- 
tury. 

"Prof. James Mills Peirce of Harvard University sup- 
poses the name was in old times pronounced as pear, heir, 
and their. Robert of Woburn, and John of Watertown, 
wrote Peirce, though John himself appears to have signed 
his will Pers, or Perss. in an antiquated hand resembling 
German script. The inventory of the estate shows its 
value to have been 271 pounds, 7 shillings. 

"George Peirce of the sixth generation was born Feb- 
ruary 14, 1734, married January 17, 1757, to Deborah Tar- 
bell, who was born 1730, and died June i, 1801. * * * 
He moved from Groton to Otisfield, Me., in 1775. He 
was called a 'Housewright.' * * * ]\/[r. Peirce was 
Proprietor's Agent of the town of Otisfield for many years. 
He was a real business man of the old school, and dis- 
tinguished himself in his day for his enterprise, honesty, 
and suavity of manners. He was capable of transacting 
any business in legal form ; he acted among the early 
settlers as a physician and surgeon, and could write as 
plain as print. * * * A shadow fell over his pathway 
in after years. While engaged upon the frame of a build- 
ing, a Scotchman named Mcintosh became enraged be- 
cause he opposed his associating with his daughter, and 
attacked him with an axe. Mr. Peirce in self-defense 
struck him with a heavy mallet, and killed him. In con- 
sequence of this tragedy, Mr. Peirce was thrown into 'Port- 
land Gaol.' in 1789, and after a while was tried for murder, 
and acquitted. A book was written by him while in prison, 
the composition of which gives evidence of a master mind. 
^: * =:; Hq yyjc; interested in the sale of proprietors' 
lands, and carried forward several heavy suits-at-law for 
trespass for them." 

OLIVER PEIRCE, son of George Peirce, Jr., married 
Susanna, or "Sukey" Haskell, in 1794, and first settled 




Oliver Peirce, Esq. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 565 

in Otisfield, on a farm of three hundred acres, lying on 
the highlands to the east of, and a half mile from Bol- 
ster's Mills, where they resided for a few years, and where 
the first six of his children were born. He purchased 
a large farm at the foot of Long Pond, and moved there 
in July, 1809, carrying his goods to North Bridgton, and 
thence by water in "Andrew's Ark," a boat propelled by 
horse power. In 1815, he returned to his farm near Bol- 
ster's Mills, and proceeded to erect a large dwelling house, 
and several spacious barns for the big crops of hay and 
grain produced, and for the shelter of the large stock of 
cattle and sheep raiseil and kept by this ambitious and 
thrifty pioneer farmer. 

The traditions of that period are eloquent in the de- 
scriptions of the great teams of fat oxen, and the extensive 
operations of Esq. Oliver Peirce in logging in the pine 
forests, and in many business transactions that increased 
his wealth and importance as a leading citizen of the 
town. He bought three thousand acres of wild land in 
what was later Otisfield, Harrison, and Naples, largely 
covered by a heavy growth of timber, that in succeeding 
years was cut and hauled to the landings on Crooked River 
and Long Pond, to be driven down those waters to the 
thriving lumber mills on the Presumpscot, and which be- 
came in the form of manufactured lumber a large part 
of the product of the virgin lands of Cumberland County, 
that added to the early commercial importance of Port- 
land as a port of shipment to the cities of the South, and 
of the West Indies. 

Of the various tracts of land owned by Esq. Peirce, 
was one of two hundred acres in Harrison known as 
the "Twin Lots." In 1824, he came to Harrison and cleared 
thirt3--seven acres upon which he raised the next year, 
twelve hundred bushels of corn. The same year (1825), 
he gave to his two eldest sons, George and Haskell, his 



566 A HISTORY OF THE 

fine farm in Otisfield, richly equipped with its commo- 
dious dweUing and outbuildings, neat stock, and appur- 
tenances for farming, and removed to his new farm in 
Harrison. Here he repeated his building operations of 
his Otisfield residence, and in a year or two found himself 
and family again located in a fine mansion, and with 
several large and convenient barns and outbuildings. Here 
he continued to thrive in worldly matters, showing re- 
markable activity and ability in the acquisition of prop- 
erty of many kinds. He was one of the Justices of the 
Peace for the county, and as such magistrate was often 
required to perform important legal services for the cit- 
izens of the town. He also held other honorable public 
positions with distinguished credit and ability. 

Esq. Peirce gave to each son and daughter at their 
marriage, or before, out of his ample wealth, a good en- 
dowment of land for a complete homestead, and had in 
reserve a large property in lands and money. He died in 
Harrison, January 5, 1849, aged eighty-one years. His 
widow died on August 22, of the same year. 

EIGHTH GENERATIOX. 

Oliver and Sukey (Haskell) Peirce had nine children, 
as follows : 

A son that died at birth. 

M.-KRY, b. Sept. 16, 1797; married Shepherd Hawk of 
Minot, in Otisfield, Sept. 23, 1819: died Feb. 4, 1888. 

George, b. in Otisfield, July 2, 1799: married Caroline 
Farnsworth, in 1824: died in Harrison, Aug. 3, 1886. 

Deborah, b. in Otisfield, Aug. 8, 1801 ; married Henry 
Roby in Otisfield, Oct. 14, 1824; died July 4, 1832. 

Haskell, b. in Otisfield, Sept. 28, 1803 : married Beulah 
Burnell of Otisfield, and, for second wife, Margaret 
Remick of Kittery ; died in 1867. 

A son who died at birth. 




Hon. George Peirce 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 567 

Oliver, Jr., b. in Otisfield, May 2, 1810; died Feb. 12, 1828. 

Benjamin Franklin, b. in Otisfield, May 10, 1813; mar- 
ried Abigail Burnham of Harrison, May 14, 1840; died 

Thomas Tarbell, b. in Otisfield, Sept. 3, 1817: married 
Lydia Jane Pratt of Paris ; died Jan. 8, 1875. 

MARY PEIRCE, second child of Oliver and Sukey 
Peirce, was born in Otisfield, and married Shepherd Hawk 
of Minot. They settled on the farm which was the gift 
to Mrs. Hawk from her father, adjoining his own home- 
stead on the south, it being the farm where M. R. Wilbur 
now resides. Mr. Hawk was a tanner by trade, but gave 
up that business for farming, in which he was successful 
and prosperous. In the year 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Hawk, 
with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus 
P. Houghton, removed to Wisconsin, and settled in Osh- 
kosh, where Mr. Hawk died August i, 1882. Mrs. Mary 
(Peirce) Hawk died in Oshkosh, February 4, 1888, aged 
eighty-nine years, five months. She possessed much vigor 
of health, and had the full use of her mental faculties 
to the close of her long life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hawk had four children, as follows : 

George B., b. August 10, 1820: died May 12, 1827. 

Emeline, b. Nov. 21, 1823; died Oct. 5, 1832. 

Susan P., b. August 28, 1828; died August 15, 1832. 

Arvesta, b. Oct. 28, 1830; married Cyrus P. Houghton, 
and resided for a number of years with the parents 
of Mrs. Houghton on their farm in Harrison, and emi- 
grated with them to Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Houghton, several children have been born in their wes- 
tern home, and one daughter, Mrs. Flora (Houghton) 
Steers, resides in Oshkosh at this writing. 

GEORGE PEIRCE, third child of Oliver and Sukey 
Peirce. was born in Otisfield, July 2, 1799. He was edu- 



568 A HISTORY OF THE 

cated in the common schools, and in liis boyhood worked 
on the home farm, and became well skilled in the pursuits 
of his father. He married Caroline Farnsworth, sister 
of Dr. Samuel Farnsworth of Bridgton, in 1824. They 
settled in Otisfield on the fine farm of three hundred acres, 
given to him and his brother Haskell, with excellent build- 
ings, and all the appurtenances of a homestead. 

Mr. Peirce, from his early manhood, was noted for great 
activities in many business enterprises. He was in trade 
for a time at Bolster's I^Iills — then called "Pinhook." 
From 1828, for two years he was turning huge pine logs into 
lumber in his saw-mill at "Horsebeef Falls," on the Pre- 
sumpscot, in Gorham. The year 1830, found him finally 
settled at Flarrison Milage — then, and for many years 
afterward, known as "The Flat." Fie built a saw mill on 
Crooked River in Waterford in 183 1. The same year he 
engaged in trade with his father and brother Haskell, in 
the building on the principal corner of Main Street, known 
ever since as the "Peirce Store." In 1832, he built the 
storehouse at the wharf, owned years afterward by Thomas 
R. Sampson. That storehouse was the first building ever 
raised in town, of any size or importance, zvithout liquor. 
As he would furnish no "rum," he was compelled to hire 
men to raise the building. Among those whe refused to 
assist in the "raising" (because liquor was not to be fur- 
nished) was a minister of the gospel. 

The same year (1832), Mr. Peirce erected the large 
and handsome dwelling house and other buildings for his 
residence (now the residence of Joseph Pitts), where he 
ever afterward lived till his death. That was the second 
building raised in Harrison without the use of intoxicating 
iiquor. 

From 1839 to 1846, Mr. Pejrce vyas "lumbering" for 
himself and others on the Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Pe- 
nobscot rivers. From 1849 to 1833. he was operating 
a line of stage coaches from Fryeburg and Bridgton to 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 569 

South Paris depot. While thus engaged he was mainly 
instrumental in causing the location of a new road from 
"HalFs Corner" in East Harrison to the Norway road in 
Otisfield, and another road from the Norway road to a 
point in North Oxford on the Grank Trunk Railroad, for 
the purpose of shortening the distance of travel by stage 
to the point of connection with the railroad. He sold 
his stage property, in 1853, to Walker & Gage. 

Mr. Peirce was one of the largest owners of the stock 
of the Steamer "Fawn," the first steamboat to ply upon the 
waters of the Sebago and Long Lake route. He negotiated 
the sale of engine and boiler of the "Fawn," which were 
carried to Moosehead Lake for use in a new steamer 
there. This transaction occurred about 1857. 

j\Ir. Peirce's retirement from business life did not re- 
lease him from participation in the strife between the 
political parties of that day. He was a prominent factor 
in the brilliant campaigns from the organization of the 
Republican party in 1855, for many years. He was elected 
Representative of his district (Harrison and Baldwin) in 
1861, and in 1865 represented the Republicans of Cum- 
berland County in the State Senate. In 1857-8, he was a 
member of the E.xecutive Council of Governor Lot M. 
Morrill. 

Mr. Peirce, though educated and accustomed to the 
usages and influences of earlier times when the use of 
intoxicants was universal in our society, was an early con- 
vert to the principles of Total Abstinence, and was ever 
a resolute and consistent defender of his faith. He as- 
sisted in organizing the first Harrison Temperance So- 
ciety in 1831, and in 1S40, was very prominent in the 
Washingtonian reform movement, and later a leading mem- 
ber of the Harrison Temperance Watchmen Club. Li 
1874, he joined the Harrison Reform Club, known also 
as the "Gospel Temperance Reform" movement, and la- 
bored zealously for spreaf'ing the benefits of that crusade 



570 A HISTORY OF THE 

against alcoholic drinks in his community. In 1885, he 
received an honorary membership in the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union. 

Mr. Peirce held important offices in the old Militia 
of Maine ; was a Justice of the Peace for forty years ; 
a Coroner five years ; and for nearly all his life was 
a practical land surveyor, having extensive knowledge of 
the lands and private estates of the citizens of his town. 

In i860, he was chosen as one of the Trustees of Bridg- 
ton Academy, an institution in whose welfare he was 
deeply interested. He was subsequently elected to the 
position of President of the Board, and had the honor 
of presiding at the great "Reunion of the Alumni" held 
on July 12, 1882. He was a most active member of the 
Board, and never failed to attend to the duties of the 
position, unless prevented by illness. It is related that on 
the day of one of the annual meetings, a pouring rain 
prevailed all day, and not even the members who resided 
in the immediate vicinity had the courage to put in an ap- 
pearance. But a little thing like a rain storm did not 
deter Mr. Peirce from attending to the duties of a po- 
sition which he had accepted, and he braved the elements, 
rode to North Bridgton, and at the appointed hour was 
present and ready to attend to business. Not another mem- 
ber of the Board was present, and, after waiting a suita- 
ble time. Mr. Peirce availed himself of the right given to 
a number that was less than a quorum, and adjourned the 
meeting to a stated day. After his death in 1886, Hon. 
Edward F. Brown of New York was chosen as his suc- 
cessor. 

For many years Mr. Peirce was a member of the Congre- 
gational Church of Harrison, and labored with all his char- 
acteristic zeal for promoting the spiritual and temporal 
advancement of his beloved church and parish. To the 
end of his earthly life no better friend of the town and 
village of his residence ever e.xisted. He died, after a lin- 
gering illness, on August 3, 1886. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. S7^ 

Mrs. Caroline Farnsworth Peirce was a woman of rare 
excellence of character. She was much beloved for her 
kindness of heart, and her abundant deeds of practical 
benevolence. She died September 5, 1871. 

DEBORAH PEIRCE, fourth child of Oliver and Sukey 
Peirce, was born in Otisfield, August 8, 1801, and married 
Henry Roby (son of Rev. Thomas Roby) in Otisfield. 
October 14, 1824. They had four children as follows : 

Samuel S., b. Sept. 9, 1825. He emigrated to Wisconsin 
in 1850, and settled in the new town of Menasha. He 
resided there over fifty years, and was a leading citizen, 
distinguished for his enterprise and success in business, 
and the accumulation of property. He was honored 
several times by election to positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility in municipal affairs, and was much inter- 
ested in Free Masonry. He married Melinda Beedle, 
Sept. 27, 1854. They had one child, a daughter, Frankie. 
Mr. Roby died Jan. 3, 1901. 

Caroline F., b. July 17, 1827; died June 8, 1871, un- 
married. 

Oliver Peirce, b. in 1829. He adopted a mercantile ca- 
reer early in life, and was employed first in the store 
of Wyat't Turner at Bolster's Mills ; then in follow- 
ing years in Portland, Ogdensburg, N. Y., New Or- 
leans, and at the beginning of the Civil War he was in 
Cincinnati, O. His patriotic spirit impelled him to vol- 
unteer for the defense of his government, and he was 
very soon enrolled as a member of the body-guard of 
Gen. George B. McClellan in the campaign of 1861, 
in West Virginia, in which he served as first sergeant 
of his company. The term of his enlistment (three 
months) having expired, upon his muster-out of service 
he was appointed and commissioned by the Governor 
of Ohio, as Captain of Company A. of the Fourth Reg- 
iment Volunteer Cavalry of that State. He served with 
his regiment in the successive campaigns of the army in 
Kentucky, Tennessee, and other States of the South 
until 1864. Aluch of his service was in the "Army 
of the Cumberland" under Gen. George H. Thomas. He 



<^-]2 A HISTORY OF THE 

was promoted to the rank of Colonel of his regiment. In 
his whole army career he was distinguished for military 
capacity, gallant conduct in action, and for his notable 
patriotism and loyalty to duty. He retired from the 
service in November, 1864, after more than three years 
of constant campaigning, and soon went to • San Fran- 
cisco, where he received an appointment in the U. S. 
Custom House at that place. He served several years 
as Inspector of Customs, and was afterwards in the dry 
goods business in that city until his death, which was by 
suicide during an attack of temporary insanity, March 
16, 1874. 

Thomas Frank, b. Jan. 17, 1831, lived with his parents 
till manhood, worked several years at a mechanical trade 
at Harrison Village, and in 1853, v.ent to Oshkosh, Wis., 
and was interested in pine timber lands with A. M. 
Thomes, and in mining at Pike's Peak. Col. In 1861, 
he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined the Fourth Ohio 
Cavalry, in which his brother Oliver had a command. 
He served as Sergeant of a company. Commissary Ser- 
geant of his Regiment, and was promoted to 2nd and ist 
Lieutenant in succession, and to Captain of Co. G, Dec. 
9, 1864. He was killed in the battle of Selma, Ala., 
April 2, 1865. 

Deborah Peirce Roby died July 4, 1832. She was a 
woman of very lovable character, deeply religious, and was 
leniber of the Congregational Church. An interest- 



'&' ^o 



a n 

ing incident is related, in which she became greatly con- 
cerned for the conversion of her father, who, although 
esteemed as a man of good character, was much addicted 
to the habit of profanity. It was during a season of re- 
ligious revival, and Airs. Roby, with two other women of 
the church, besides exercising other influences towards 
accomplishing the object of their desires, spent an entire 
night in prayer in behalf of her father. He was converted, 
became a Christian, and united with the Congregational 
Church, September 9, 1832. 

Henry Roby married for his second wife, Martha C. 
Cary of Harrison, September 24, 1834. They had four 
children : 



TOWN OF HARRISON, 573 

Sarah J., b. Feb. 17, 1836: married James W. Weston, 
Jan. 19, 1863. She died July 24, 1863. 

Henry C, b. Jan. 9, 1838; married Caroline M. Burnham, 
daughter of Sumner Burnham of Harrison. They lived 
on the Roby homestead for years, and later removed to 
Norway Village, where they resided until their removal 
to Lincoln, Neb., where they still reside. 

Joseph E.. b. Aug. 12, 1845 : died Apr. 28, 1846. 

Martha H., b. Jan. 11. 1848: married Silas Bullard, a 

law3-er, of Harrison, March 23, 1871. They emigrated 

to Wisconsin, and settled at Menasha, where they con- 
tinue to reside. 

Henry Roby, senior, died August 27, 1861. Martha, his 
widow, died January i, 1868. 

HASKELL PEIRCE, fifth child of Oliver Peirce, was 
bom in Otisfield, September 28, 1803. He married Beu- 
lah Burnell, daughter of Dr. Sereno Burnell of Otisfield. 
They settled in Otisfield, and removed to Harrison Milage 
in 1832. Mrs. Peirce died in Harrison, December 6, 1834. 
Mr. Peirce removed to Boston in 1844, thence to Charles- 
town in 1846. He was engaged in business in Boston. 
He married for his second wife, Margaret Remick of Kit- 
tery. He resided in Charlestown until their removal to 
Kittery in 1857, where Mr. Peirce was in the service of 
the government till he was seized with the illness which 
resulted in his death in 1867. Margaret, his widow, died 
June 14, 1879. 

Haskell and Beulah Peirce had three children, as fol- 
lows : 

Susan AL-xria, b. in Otisfield, Apr. 28, 1829 ; died in 
Charlestown, Mass., Aug. 19, 1847. 

Cyrus H., b. in Otisfield, May 17, 1831 ; married Josephine 
Strickland of Livermore, Me. They have two daugh- 
ters, Beulah and Elizabeth. Cyrus resided in Boston 



574 A HISTORY OF THE 

and Charlestown till 1855, when he went to Oshkosh, 
Wis., and was in mercantile business, and in steamboat- 
ing, for several years. In 1861, he went to Cincinnati, 
and enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. That is how 
three patriotic Harrison boys became members of a fa- 
mous fighting regiment of the "Buckeye" State, under 
one of Uncle Sam's most renowned commanders. Cyrus 
served as Quartermaster Sergeant a short time, and was 
subsequently promoted to 2nd and ist Lieutenant in Co. 
G, commanded by his cousin, Thomas F. Roby (Capt. 
"Frank Robie," as it appears in the Ohio War Records). 
He resigned his commission for reason of impaired 
health, Feb. 5. 1864. Since the war, he has been in 
mercantile business in Boston, residing in Somerville. 

Paschal B., b. in Harrison in 1833 ; died Apr. 19, 1836. 

Haskell Peirce imbibed, in early life, similar principles 
on the subject of temperance to those which made his 
brother, George, a conspicuous reformer during the greater 
part of his life. He was elected Captain of one of the Har- 
rison militia companies in 1832. His election was accepted 
on the condition that he should not be required to furnish 
liquor for the company on the occasions of the annual 
trainings, and at the general muster of the regiment, as 
he was conscientiously opposed to the use of intoxicants. 
By his request, also, the officers of the company were not 
to furnish liquor unless they chose to do so. He was 
unanimously elected. He was afterwards elected Colonel 
of the regiment, and it is a tradition that no commander 
of the Harrison company after him ever furnished in- 
to.xicating liquors for his company. 

OLIVER PEIRCE, JR., seventh child of Oliver Peirce, 
was born in Otisfield, Alay 2. 1810. He was possessed of 
a superior order of intellect, and was in early boyhood, far 
advanced in a course of educational training. He had 
been for several terms a student at Bridgton Academy, 
and was one of the brightest and most popular students in 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 575 

that institution. He was equally popular and beloved in 
the society of his town. He was prostrated by typhoid 
fever in the midst of his student year in 1827, and died 
February 12, 1828. An eloquent tribute to his character 
closes with the following stanza : 

"So fell the youth by death's relentless bow : 
Fond friends, nor prayers could bind him here below ; 
Nor youth, nor worth, nor hearts with sorrow riven, 
Could stay the flight of innocence to Heaven." 

BEXTAMIN FRANKLIN PEIRCE, eighth child of 
Oliver Peirce, was born in Otisfield, May 10, 1813 ; married 
Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel Burnham of Harrison, 
May 14. 1840. She was born July 7, 1818. They resided 
on the old Peirce homestead in Harrison for many years. 
Mr. Peirce was of upright and generous qualities of char- 
acter, an ardent promoter of all religious and social re- 
forms, and a devoted member of the church of his fathers. 
His wife had the same high characteristics, and equally 
beloved in a large community in the town of her birth and 
residence, and wherever she was known. In 1859, they 
moved from Harrison, residing for a time in East Poland, 
but in 1876, removed to the Pacific Coast, residing some 
time in Stockton, Cal., and at length settling in the city 
of Oakland, where they spent the remaining years of their 
lives in the family of their daughter. They had three 
children : 

Frederic R., b. April i, 1841 ; educated in the public 
schools. In 1861, he enlisted as a musician in Company 
F, First Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry, and served 
through the period of his enlistment. He was after- 
wards engaged in railroad business in various respon- 
sible positions for several years, and finally settled in 
Oakland, Cal. He married Hattie O. Farnham, daugh- 
ter of Dr. John Farnham of New Gloucester, Me. They 
have two "daughters, Maude (married), and Gertrude; 
both residing at Brockton, Mass. Frederic is now liv- 
ing at the Veteran's Home, Napa Co., Cal. 



5/6 A HISTORY OF THE 

Hester A., b. in Harrison, Jan. ii, 1843. She received 
a good English training in the pubHc and high schools. 
She married Robert P. M. Greely of North Yarmouth, 
Sept. 20, 1864. Mr. Greely was in military service as 
a member of the Twenty-fifth Maine Regiment. They 
emigrated to the State of Nevada and were engaged in 
teaching in the High School of Reno in that State. They 
finally settled in Oakland, Cal., where Mr. Greely has 
been prosperous in mercantile business. Mrs. Hester 
Peirce Greely is a well known writer for several Maine 
papers, principally the Len'iston Journal and Bridgton 
News. She has travelled somewhat extensively in j\Iex- 
ico, visited the Sandwich Islands a few years ago, and 
has since toured through the States of the Pacific Coast 
with her husband, visiting the most interesting places 
as far as British Columbia. Her sketches of journey- 
ing, observations of things seen in her visits, and de- 
scription of the native wonders of the Coast States, 
are among the best examples of descriptive writing in 
the American press. At home she is much devoted to 
church and benevolent work, instituted for the relief and 
benefit of poor families of her own city. She is also 
much interested in one of the leading Woman's Clubs 
of her home city, and is devoted to the cause of Woman's 
political enfranchisement. 

Robert O., b. in Harrison, Jan. 5. 1845 ; married Julia 
Lamont of Ellsworth, Me. He has lived many years in 
Boston ; is a successful inventor of valuable articles, 
for which he has received patents from the government. 
He now resides in Worcester, Mass., and is foreman 
of a large manufactory in that city. They have no chil- 
dren. 

Benjamin Franklin Peirce died in Oakland, Cal., Aug. 3, 
1900, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, twenty- 
two days. 



THOMAS TARBELL PEIRCE, ninth and youngest 
child of Oliver Peirce, was born in Otisfield, September 3, 
1817. He married Lydia Jane Pratt, daughter of Na- 
thaniel Pratt of Paris. Thev settled in Harrison in a 




MkS. HkSTKK PeIKCK GKEtLKV, 

Oakland, Cal, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 5/7 

handsome cottage on one of the "twin lots" adjoining his 
father's homestead on the north. Mr. Peirce removed to 
Harrison Village about 1840, and was for several years 
in trade in the store originally occupied by his father and 
brothers. He removed to Island Pond, Vt., in 185 1, and 
later the family emigrated to Wisconsin. 

After their removal from Island Pond, JMr. Peirce and 
his family resided in Berlin, Wis. ; Owatonna, and Man- 
kato, Minn. : and finally settled in Lynde, Lyon County, 
Minn., in 1869. In 1862, at the uprising of the Indians 
in ]\Iinnesota, Mr. Peirce enlisted in the ]\Iankato Home 
Guards in Col. Charles Flandrau's expedition for the de- 
fense of the southern frontier, and for the protection of 
their own families from the incursions of the Sioux. 

While hunting in company with one of his sons, and 
following a line of traps, Mr. Peirce was lost in a terrible 
storm, and perished in the cold. When found by his son 
he was near his own camp. This sad event occurred on 
January 8, 1875. 

Mr. Peirce was noted in his native town for his enter- 
prising spirit, and was promoted to offices of trust and re- 
sponsibility. He was a pioneer of Lyon County, Minne- 
sota, and originated many civic improvements in that sec- 
tion. He planted the first shade-trees, built the first black- 
smith shop, was the first Justice of the Peace, and his 
son, Parker, made the first arrest. They hauled provisions 
and lumber to build their house a distance of fifty miles 
with ox-teams. Since J\Ir. Peirce's death, Mrs. Peirce 
and three sons resided for a time in California, but finally 
settled in Kamiah, Idaho, where they own an extensive 
tract of land, on which they are developing gold, silver, 
copper, and coal mines. Mrs. Peirce, at eighty-three years 
of age, is as vigorous as a woman of fifty, and is a credit 
to the State of her nativity. 

Four sons were bom to Thomas T. and Lydia J. (Pratt) 
Peirce, as follows : 



578 A HISTORY OF THE 

Henry Leeds, b. in Harrison, Nov. 17, 1842. Married 
and settled in Lynde, Minn. 

Parker Illsley, b. in Harrison, Nov. 17, 1844. 

George W., b. in Harrison, Feb. 5, 1846. 

Thomas Tarbell, b. at Island Pond, Vt., Oct. 16, 1850; 
died in Berlin, Wis., Nov. 5, 1854. 

I am strongly tempted to present a brief sketch of some 
of the adventures and experiences of three of the sons 
of Thomas T. Peirce during their residence at Mankato, 
Minn., in 1862. It was the second year of the Civil War, 
and several warlike tribes, principally the Sioux, were on 
the war-path against the advancing tide of immigration of 
white settlers upon the lands occupied by them from time 
immemorial. 

In the spring of 1862, Henry L. and Parker I., the two 
eldest sons, beardless boys of nineteen and seventeen years, 
respectively, with desire for adventure — with their fath- 
er's consent — journeyed ninety miles up the Minnesota 
River to find employment at a government Indian agency. 
The superintendent gave them work on the farm at $18 
per month. From the first day they had many thrilling 
encounters with the Sioux Indians in connection with the 
apportionment of the government annuities to the Indians 
— twenty dollars per head, children included. The In- 
dians were very troublesome until they received their pay, 
and a company of soldiers was sent down from Fort Ridge- 
ly to keep the peace. From that time for weeks the In- 
dians were engaged in shooting, and burning, and destroy- 
ing the government buildings and cabins of the settlers, 
and other propert_v amounting to millions of dollars in 
value. In violation of their treaties they broke into open 
rebellion, and massacred a thousand people. Thus, for 
four or more months, these adventurous Maine youths, 
only a few years before playing in the shades of Peirce's 
Grove in Harrison, found a thrilling vocation in the service 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 579 

of Uncle Sam, fighting a desperate traditional enemy of 
the white race, and defending the lives and property of 
the devoted pioneers of the new State of their adopted 
residence. 

They served at different times under those renowned 
Indian fighters, Generals Sibley and Sully. They had thrill- 
ing and perilous personal encounters with Chippewas, Black- 
foot, and other tribes, and with Little Crow, Red Cloud, 
Cut-Nose, Gray Eagle, and other chiefs among the bravest 
and most able, as well as the most cruel of the Indian rebel 
leaders of that period. Parker Peirce, speaking of his ex- 
perience during the eventful summer, says: "The imagi- 
nation of the most skilled writer would fail, should he at- 
tempt to describe the thoughts and feelings of a man in 
constant dread for weeks and months, of a whizzing tom- 
ahawk, a scalping-knife, or a humming bullet." 

Tramping across wide prairies, moccasins worn out, feet 
blistered, and pockets loaded with powder and bullets, sleep- 
ing on the ground in a pouring storm, lunching on flour 
and salt, dining on roasted rabbit, often half famished 
for lack of any food — and always with nerves agitated by 
fear of meeting a treacherous and cruel enemy — what 
wonder if the plucky New England boys often thought of 
the little mother and her well-filled cupboard in the com- 
fortable home at Mankato ! But, taking counsel of their 
"grit," they said : "We'll stick to the crowd, and see this 
thing through !" 

After the return of Henry and Parker Peirce to their 
home in August, 1862, Henry joined the Renville Rangers, 
a company composed of Sioux half-breeds, and served 
four months, during which time he saw more hot work 
than did many who went through the Civil War. He as- 
sisted in the celebrated defence of Fort Ridgely, August 
20th and 22nd, against the assaults of a vastly superior 
force of Sioux Indians under the noted chief. Little Crow, 



580 A HISTORY OF THE 

and other able warriors. The State of Minnesota has erect- 
ed a beautiful monument on the Fort Ridgely battleground 
in honor of Lieut. Timothy J. Sheehan, Co. C, Fifth Regt. 
Minn. Infantry, who commanded the garrison during the 
protracted siege. After Mr. Peirce's term of enlistment 
had expired, he joined a company of riflemen for thirty 
days, and in 1865, he served eight months as an enlisted 
man in the First Regiment of Minnesota Heavy Artillery, 
lie also served the government as a bearer of dispatches, 
and in other capacities, during the Civil War. 

GEORGE W. PEIRCE, third son of Thomas T., served 
in a company of riflemen in 1862, when only sixteen years 
of age. He was an expert "shot," knew the country well, 
and was a very serviceable scout. In 1864, he accompanied 
Gen. Sully on an expedition against the Sioux ; was at 
Forts Rice and Thompson, and was in a skirmish with 
the Sioux at Cannon Ball River. 

In sketching the foregoing history of the first pioneer 
settler, and of his numerous descendants, who were born 
in, and resided for a long time in our town, and assisted 
in the development of its prosperity, we may naturally con- 
template the extension of the branches of this thrifty 
family tree. But in the tenth generation from John Peirce 
the Englishman, and the fourth generation from Esq. Oliver 
Peirce, there is not one male descendant by the name of 
Peirce. and that patronymic which has been so widely 
known for nearly three hundred years in America in a con- 
tinuous line, seems fated to become extinct in the present 
centurv. g. f. 



NoTR. — Mr. Fcrnald speaks of George Peirce, Esq., as being 
one of tile principal owners of the Steamer "Fawn," which for a 
time plied the waters of the now famous Sebago Lake route. In 
1855, Mr. Peirce became the sole owner of that steamer, as he pur- 
chased the boat, and all its appurtenances, at public auction in 
July of that year, paying tlie sum of $1,951.60 for the whole prop- 
erty. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 581 

PERLEY FAMILY. 

SAMUEL PERLEY was born in Hampton Falls, New 
Hampshire, November 17, 1776. He was a farmer. He 
came to Gray in 1795, and to Harrison in 1807. He married 
in Ludlow, Vermont, Abigail Lewis of that place, Novem- 
ber 13, 1793. She was born in Pepperell, Massachusetts, 
October 2, 1773. He died September 10, 1828. She died 
June 5, 1848. Children : 

Abig.^il, b. Nov. 14, 1794, died Dec. 14, 1794. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 26, 1796, married Elijah Potter of Bridg- 
ton, Oct. 20, 1836. He was born June 9, 1796, died 
in Bridgton, Aug. 13. 1844. His widow married Mar- 
quis de Lafayette Caswell of Harrison, in Bridgton, June 
20, i860. Children of Abigail and Elijah Potter, ist, 
Rhoda Jane, b. May 25, 1839, married Nathaniel Potter, 
2nd, Oct. 28, 1855. Their children were Ella Louisa, 
b. June 8, 1856. Clara Augusta, b. April 16, 1859. Ed- 
win Lewis, b. Sept. 28, 1862. Cora Ellen, b. Sept. 8, 
1865. Lizzie Mabel, b. Dec. 31, 1876. 

Samuel, b. in Gray, Dec. 16, 1798, died Sept. 22, 1823. 

Susannah, b. Jan. 14, 1801, died June 25, 1805. 

Persis, b. Mar. 15, 1803, in Gray, died June 15, 1805. 

Rhoda, b. Nov. 3. 1805 ; married July 22, 1847, Fuller An- 
drews Smith. They had one child, Julia Louisa, b. in 
Bridgton, May 31, 1848, married Samuel W. Potter, 
of Gilead, Me. They had one son, Geo. Fuller Potter, 
b. Jan. 13, 1875. 

David Lewis, b. Oct. 24, 1807 ; married Sophronia Spurr, 
daughter of Enoch and Abigail (Wight) Spurr of Otis- 
field, Oct. 23, 1835. She was born Feb. 4, 1807. He 
lived on the homestead of his father to the end of his 
life. He was an honest, public spirited and progressive 
fanner, and a devoted Christian. Children : 

I. William Sumner, b. Oct. 3, 1836. He is an intel- 
ligent and thrifty farmer, and is very successful 
in the cultivation of choice apples, and in raising 
stock for market. He follows his father in posses- 
sion of the home farm. 



582 A HISTORY OF THE 

2. Catherine Fowler, b. Aug. 21, 1838. Educated at 

Bridgton Academy, at the select school of Miss 
Harriet Douglass in Harrison and in Lewiston High 
School. She was a successful school teacher for a 
number of years in Harrison, Otisfield, and Lew- 
iston. Married in Bridgton, Sept. 15, 1864, Luther 
Gary Blake, of Harrison. He was born May 31, 
1819. He was a manufacturer and dealer in stoves 
and tinware at Harrison \'illage, residing several 
years at North Bridgton, and the remainder of his 
life in Harrison, where he died Feb. 17, 1894. They 
had one daughter, Ellen Perley, b. Nov. 27. 1866, 
who resides with her mother and uncle, Wm. S. 
Perley in Harrison, and is unmarried. 

3. Osborn, b. Dec. 6, 1841, died April 20, 1844, of 
scarlet fever, during an epidemic of that disease, 
which spread in a fatal manner to many families 
in the neighborhood. 

4. Ellen Augusta, b. May 16, 1848, died Jan. 30, 1853. 

Isaac, b. in Harrison, Mar. i, 1810. He lived succes- 
sively in Harrison, Bridgton, and Gray — but principally 
in Harrison, and died at Bolster's Mills, Feb. 3, 1900. 
He married Feb. 27, 1840, Gatherine Jane Fowler, b. 
Dec. 24, 1814, daughter of David and Jane Fowler of 
Bridgton. She died Aug. 17, 1881, in Harrison. Ghil- 
dren : 

1. Miranda Louise, b. Julv 9, 1841, died in Harrison, 

Oct. 28, 1865. 

2. David Fowler, b. July i, 1844, married June 22, 

1875, Julia Ann, daughter of David M. and Em- 
eline (Patch) Scribner of Otisfield, b. July 7, 1852. 
He was a member of Go. B, 23rd Regt. Me. In- 
fantry. He died in Windham, Me., May 19, 1899. 
Mrs. Julia A. Perley resides in Otisfield. 

Luther Lewis, b. in Harrison, June 28, 181 3, died Mar. 
25, 1859; married in Rowley, Mass., Sarah Alice Potter, 
b. in Ipswich, Mass., Mar. 7, 1823, daughter of Asa and 
Susan (Hadley- Johnson) Potter. She died in Har- 
rison, May 28, 1854. They had one child, Osborne, 
born in Harrison, Me., July 13, 1852. He was an or- 
phan from the age of six years, and was brought up 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 583 

in the family of his uncle, David L. Parley. He received 
his education in the public schools, and at Bridgton 
Academy, and at the Norway Liberal Institute. He was 
successively clerk and partner with his uncle, Thomas 
Potter, in Rowley, Mass. He migrated to Lincoln, Neb., 
in 1878. Was in stock-raising and farming eight years. 
Thence removed to Broken Bow, Neb., and resided there 
seventeen years. He was first Mayor of Broken Bow, 
and organized a great business in merchandise, and live 
stock, and was in the lead in the establishment of bank- 
ing, and many industries. Mr. Perley came back to 
Ipswich, Mass., in 1903, and established a large whole- 
sale and retail grocery business. He married April 10, 
1878, Mrs. Anna Josephine Pickard-Bailey, of Rowley, 
Mass. She was born in Ipswich, Mass., Jan. 30, 1853, 
daughter of Luther Calvin and Lavinia Day-Spiller Pick- 
ard. Luther L. Perley married for second wife, Oc- 
tober 23, 1856, Maria Conant Vining, b. April 5, 1836, 
daughter of David and Betsy Vining of Durham, Me. 
She died March 25. 1859. They had one child: Emma 
Mahala, b. in Harrison, Aug. 6, 1857, married Aug. 19, 
1876, in Lewiston, Asa Frederick Howe, of Rowley, 
Mass. He was a soldier in Massachusetts volunteers 
in the Civil War. They reside in Georgetown. Mass. 
They have two children, Josephine Eldren, and Alice 
Marjorie. 

William, b. in Harrison, June 6, 1816, while a fierce snow- 
storm was prevailing over a wide section of country. 
It was the "cold year" of the 19th century. He married 
Dec. 22, 1842, Lois Porter Brackett, born Nov. 26, 1819, 
daughter of William and Sally (Hobbs) Brackett of 
Harrison. She died Nov. 10, 1897, in Blaine, Wash- 
ington. Children : 

I. George Parsons, b. Sept. 7, 1844. His business course 
comprises the various employments here enumer- 
ated : School teaching, clerk in country store of Silas 
Blake, Harrison, 1865, at Wyatt Turner's store. Bol- 
ster's Mills in 1866, and the same year became 
bookkeeper at Forest Mills, Bridgton ; jobber in 
Cumberland and Oxford counties in 1869. A car- 
riage manufacturer in 1871 ; same year in stoves, 
woolen goods direct from mills, and operated in 
tin, and hardware business in Bridgton, admitted 



584 A HISTORY OF THE 

brother to partnership in 1872, as G. P. Perley & 
Co., and admitted in 1874, Charles H. Weston of 
Oshkosh, Wis., as partner under the firm name of 
"Perley Bros. & Weston." He bought out Weston 
in 1876. Charles, his partner, went West in 1877; 
sold out business to Jesse and Geo. E. Murphy in 
1878. became Treasurer of Bridgton Savings Bank 
in 1879, and sold balance of stock to Lewis W. Brad- 
street. The Perley building, previously leased to B. 
F. Evans, was totally destroyed by fire, Nov. i, 1879. 
He married in Bridgton, Jan. 8, 1880, Frances Hil- 
ton, born in Bridgton, Dec. 5, 1852, daughter of 
Nathaniel Pike and Hannah Goodwin Wiley Hil- 
ton. 

The families of William and Geo. P. Perley migrated 
to California, in 1887, and settled first at Redlands in that 
State. In about two years, they removed to Blaine, Wash., 
where they settled permanently and in company with his 
brother Charles, George P. was engaged in lumbering busi- 
ness and real estate operations under the style of the Globe 
Investment Company, Geo. P. Perley, President : Mrs. 
Perley, Secretary. He was for twelve years a helpless, 
rheumatic cripple, due to overwork and nervous prostra- 
tion. Geo. P. and Frances H. Perley had one child, Har- 
old Hilton, born August 8, 1881, in Bridgton; died Jan- 
uary 21, 1887. George P. Perley died . 

2. Charles Osborne, b. in Harrison, Me., Nov. 4, 1848. 
His business life w-as identical with his brother's 
till he went West in Oct, 1877, on a prospecting 
tour. He returned to Bridgton, Dec. 25, of the same 
year and Nov. 10, 1879, started for Lincoln, Neb., 
and was extensively engaged in raising and trading 
in live stock. He married in Lynn, J\lass., Jan. 29, 
1890, Hester Amanda Tibbetts, born in Rowley, 
Feb. 13, 1859, daughter of James and Jane Fowler- 
Potter Tibbetts. Their home is in Blaine, where he 
is engaged in real estate business. William Perley, 
the father, is still living in Blaine, at the age of 
ninety-two. 



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Samukl Pitts ami Sistki;, 
Mrs. Harriet McXeice 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 585 

PITTS FAMILY. 

The ancestor of this family in Harrison, was JOHN 
PITTS, born it is believed in Waterboro in 1736. He came 
to Harrison before the year 1800, and settled on the north- 
west side of Hobbs' Hill, on the farm, for many years 
owned by Stephen T. Whitney and still in possession of 
his son, Fred Whitney. Mr. Pitts, the pioneer, died in 
1827, aged ninety-one years. Children: 

Samuel, married Lydia , and lived many years on 

the farm settled on by his father. Flis children were : 

1. Polly, b. Jan. 15, 1801, married Seth Carsley, 2nd. 

2. Joseph, b. Mar. 10, 1804. 

3. Daniel, b. July 4, 1S09; married jMary Lord. 

4. Lydia, b. Dec. 5, 181 1; married Stillman Leavitt, 

Feb. 13, 1832. 

5. Samuel Farnsworth, b. Feb. 17, iSiS, married CaHsta 
Brackett, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Lombard) 
Stuart of Harrison, Nov. 9, 1847. They settled 
first on a farm in Naples, where five of their chil- 
dren were born. About 1857, they removed to the 
farm in South Harrison, near the Naples line, on 
the farm originally owned by Amos Foster, and lived 
there until the house was burned, when he bought 
the Ezra T. Ingalls farm and moved there. Samuel 
and Calista Pitts were noted for their sturdy in- 
tegrity and industry ; and bred up a family of chil- 
dren equally noted for their excellent traits of char- 
acter and usefulness as citizens. Mr. Pitts died 
Sept. 2, 1888. Calista B. Pitts died Nov. 19, 1905. 
Their children : Samuel H., b. Aug. 28, 1849 ; died 
Apr. 27, 1850. George S., b. June 22, 185 1 ; mar- 
ried Asenath Eliza Sampson of Harrison ; their 
children are: Bertha May, b. Feb. 17, 1880: Susan 
Elizabeth, b. July 25. 1881 ; Christine Marion, b. 
May 13, 1883: George Horatio, b. Jan. — , 1887, 
died in infancy ; Philip Samuel, b. May 12, 1888. 
Mrs. Eliza (Sampson) Pitts died Mar. i, 1902. For 
second wife, Mr. Pitts married Sept. — , 1903, Ada 
Tibbetts Gilman of . Their children are ; 



586 A HISTORY OF THE 

Ruth, b. Mar. 3, 1906. Robert Huntley, b. Oct. 22, 
1907. Silas C, b. Feb. 9, 1853 : married Emma 
Ouimby of Naples, Feb. 15, 1873; their children 
were: William Asbury, b. Apr. 19, 1875; died Jan. 
2, 1885. Herbert, b. Dec. 18, 1887; married Alice 
Josephine Adams. Marshall H., b. Aug. 16, 1879. 
Leonard, b. Oct. 7, 1888: married Minnie Jackson; 
children: Emma Jenny, b. Sept. i, 1907. Iva Eliz- 
abeth, b. Aug. 3, 1908; died Aug. 21, 1908. Al- 
bert S., b. Mar. 29, 1855 ; married Alice J. Sampson 
of Harrison. They had three children : Fred Earl, 

b. ; married Louise Garfield Jennison, 

Oct. 5, 1901 ; they have one daughter, Mary Helene, 
b. Feb. 10, 1902. Mary, b. Aug. 13, 1887. Nellie, 
b. Sept. 17, 1891. William H., b. Dec. 20, 1856; 
died Apr. 13, 1863. Hattie B., b. Mar. 2, 1861 ; 
died Apr. 25, 1863. Lizzie A., b. Dec. 8, 1862 ; mar- 
ried Charles C. Doughty of Naples. They resided 
in Harrison. She died in Harrison, Dec. 12, 1907. 
Joseph, b. Oct. 13, 1864; married Effie Robinson, of 
Naples. They have children : Joseph Harvey and 
Charles Hartley, b. in Harrison, May 15, 1895. 
Samuel Lee, b. May 13, 1898. Dorothy Esther, b. 
May 10, 1902. 

George S. Pitts by his academic training became fitted 
for the profession of teaching, which he exemplified in a 
successful career in the public schools of Harrison and 
neighboring towns in earlier life. He has also served his 
town acceptably in the Board of Selectmen, Superintendent 
of Schools, Collector of Taxes and Town Agent. In recent 
years he has been engaged in business as an agent for a - 
fertilizer company, and for the sale of agricultural imple- 
ments ; and is also a land and timber surveyor, and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. 

Silas Pitts was bred to the work of the farm, but he 
has, since his early manhood, been in the butchering and 
meat trade. He has been also much in public affairs of 
the town, especially as Collector of Taxes. 




Mrs. Camsta (Stuakt) Pitts 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 587 

Albert S. Pitts has, for many years, carried on a general 
blacksmithing business in the same shop, long occupied by 
George Frisbie, and before that as a grocery and dry 
goods store. He is th^ popular farrier for many miles 
around, always faithful and dependable. He has been 
elected Town Treasurer for many years successively, and 
is this year Collector of Ta.xes. 

Joseph Pitts, though engaged in extensive farming op- 
erations for years as successor to his father on the farm 
now owned by J. Howard Randall, is also interested in 
the timber trade and developed unusual aptitudes and ca- 
pacity for managing large enterprises in purchasing exten- 
sive tracts of timber and buying oak and other hard wood 
of the farmers for making into staves for coopering and 
shook-making. He is a shrewd and prosperous citizen in 
all kinds of business which he undertakes. 

G. F. 



RANDALL FAMILY. 

JOHN HOWARD RANDALL, son of John F. and El- 
vira Sargent Randall, born in Portland, June 12, 1867, pur- 
chased in 1895, the large farm in South Harrison, known as 
the Col. Thomes farm. In 1907, he sold a large part of said 
farm and bought the farm of Edward Jordan, known as 
the Ingalls farm, reserving a valuable portion of the 
Thomes place, by which he remains the owner of one of 
the finest situated and most valuable farms in northern 
Cumberland. Mr. Randall has been a citizen of Harrison 
since he became the owner of farm property here. He 
married Lida, daughter of Frank M. and Clar^ L. Trafton, 
of Harrison, and in 1907, he erected the costly and elegant 
group of buildings represented in connection herewith. He 
is a member of the well-known firm of Randall & McAl- 
lister, for many years past, leading wholesale dealers in coal, 
in Portland. 



588 A HISTORY OF THE 

RICKER FAMILY. 

The history of the business operations and achievements 
in the wood and iron machine manufacturing of T. H. 
Ricker & Sons in Harrison, is given at length in another 
part of this vohime. A history of the nativity and home 
and social life of this well-known family is, however, very 
necessary for a complete record of the older families of 
the village of Harrison during about sixty years to the 
present time. 

TIMOTHY H. RICKER was born October 29. 1S02, 
in Shapleigh, Maine. He was married to Drusilla, daugh- 
ter of Nathan and Olive Weymouth Wiggin of Parsons- 
field, born April 19, 1802. He died July 29, 1891. She 
died October 19, 1879. ]\Ir. Ricker was a man of massive 
physical form and of unusual muscular powers. In early 
life he was a school teacher, but afterward learned the 
blacksmith's trade, at which he wrought in Otisfield, Ox ■ 
ford, Waterford, and finally in Harrison, where he realized 
during more than forty years of his prime and maturity 
of life, the fruition of his industrial dreams. His children 
were born before his removal to Harrison. Mr. Ricker's 
advent to Harrison village was in the spring of 1848, when 
he commenced work here as a blacksmith with his son, 
Sherburne, as partner and assistant. Their first work was 
in the old blacksmith shop of David R. Morse, located on 
the corner of ^lain and Mill streets, opposite the present 
shop of A. S. Pitts. He loved his trade as a skilled me- 
chanic, and as a wielder of the tools of his craft, and in 
after times, even many years after he became the pros- 
perous master of the Harrison machine works, he never 
shunned the exercise of his skill at the forge and anvil so 
long as his strength did not fail. His lively interest in the 
progress of the machine works of himself and sons never 
flagged until he became so feeble with the weight of years 
as to prevent his daily visits to the shop, as was his usual 




Timothy H. Ricker 




Sherbirxe H. Ricker 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 589 

custom. He was noted for his kindness of heart and gen- 
tle manners toward others. It was his inflexible honesty, 
coupled with his energy and good judgment, that was at 
the bottom of all his triumphs in his business enterprises. 
It is proper and just to the sons of Mr. Ricker, who in 
his lifetime were bright and energetic factors of success 
in all his undertakings to say, they are all entitled to equal 
honor and praise in this brief review of the firm's history. 
Children of T. H. Ricker and wife: 

Nathan W., b. Apr. i, 1828; he was in mercantile business 
in Portland, a few years, subsequently removing to New 
York and has been for many years a real estate broker 
in that city. 

Sherburne H., b. Dec. 17, 1830, in Otisfield; he adopted 
the occupation of his father in early life, and was a 
skilled iron and wood worker and at the inception of 
the foundry and machine business of T. H. Ricker & 
Sons, he was a very leading factor of the many new 
models and designs of implements and machines em- 
ployed in the shop, as well as those constructed for their 
customers for improved machinery. He remained as 
superintendent of the machine shop more than thirty 
years. In 188 1, he was compelled, by failing health, 
to retire from the business. In the spring of 1877. Mr. 
Ricker commenced the erection of the large and el- 
egant dwelling on one of the most eligible sites in 
the village opposite the new Free Baptist Church, 
the same residence in which he spent the residue 
of his life. It was his favorite occupation during 
the following years to beautify his residence by plant- 
ing shade trees along the street borders, and by other 
tasteful devices to make it one of the most inviting and 
attractive objects of residential art and beauty of that 
period of village improvement. It was his privilege 
to live a few years in the enjoyment of the beautiful 
things of his designing, but, the results of years of in- 
tense application and of enervation from overwork were 
telling upon his native constitutional vigor. He lived 
through the last years under circumstances of much suf- 
fering, and on Jan. 2, 1902, he suddenly expired from an 



59° 



A HISTORY OF THE 



attack of acute heart failure. Mr. Ricker married ist, 
Amelia H. Marten of Bridgton, in 1854, b. Aug. 9, 1835, 
died in Harrison, May 7, 1861. He married 2d, July 
31, 1862, Abby H. Merrow of Harrison, b. Aug. i, 
1833 ; died Feb. 24, 1867. He married 3d, Aug. 26, 
1871, Amelia M., daughter of Almon and Dorcas (Sands) 
Kneeland of Harrison. (See Kneeland family.) 

Horatio Swasey, b. Jan. 10, 1832; went to California 
about 1850, and died there. 

Charles Franklin, b. Aug. 24, 1834, married Zilpha Bric- 
kett of Stow, Me., b. June, 1848: died June 12, 1870. 
They had a daughter: Anna Adelia, b. June 24, 1866; 
died Apr. 24, 1881 ; Mr. Ricker married 2d, Cora Fran- 
ces Burnham of Bridgton, daughter of Leonard M. and 
Matilda (Nevers) Burnham. Mr. Ricker is the senior 
member of the present firm of "T. H. Ricker & Sons." 

Olive Jane. b. Dec. 14, 1836; died Mar. 18, 1876; mar- 
ried Hartley Lewis ; they had two daughters, Cora L., b. 
Aug. 12, 1858, and Carrie; Cora died Oct. 12, 1870; Car- 
rie married George Crockett and lives in Portland. They 
have one son. 

Freeland Holmes, b. July 19, 1839 ; married Mary H. 
Weeden of Stafford Springs, Conn. They had one 
daughter, Lillian, b. June 16, 1870; married Fred W. 
Dudley of Harrison ; they had one daughter, Florence 
Lillian, b. Jan. 31, 1895. Mrs. Lillian Holmes Dudley 
died Feb. 9, 1895, in Hollis, N. H. Mr. Dudley is prin- 
cipal of the Hollis (N. H.) high school. Airs. Dudley 
was a graduate of Bridgton Academy, Class of '93. She 
was distinguished for literary culture, lived a beautiful 
life and was much lamented at her death. 

Alvin Parsons, b. in Oxford, Aug. 13, 1841 ; married 
Fanny F. Tibbetts, daughter of Stephen and Lucy Tib- 
betts of Harrison, b. in Bridgton, Aug. 16, 1846. Their 
children : 

1. Josephine Pearl, b. June 25, 1878. 

2. Jessie Isabel, b. Oct. 30, 1880. 

Ellen K., b. Dec. — , 1843, in Oxford ; married John Mer- 
rill Smith, b. in Deal, England, Jan. 5, 1840. They had 
children : 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 591 

1. Annie Louise, b. in Harrison, Sept. i6, 1861 ; died 

at two years old. 

2. Olive Alice, b. in Montreal, Can., Mar. 12, 1864; died 

Sept. I, 1864. 

3. Walter Winfield. b. Nov. 25, 1866, in Boston; mar- 

ried 1st, Alice Jordan of Harrison; married 2d, Mrs. 
Mary (Proctor) ]\Iills of Harrison; they reside in 
Springfield, Mass. 

4. Mary Drusilla, b. July 21, 1869; married John C. 

Edgerly of Harrison. 

5. Harry Elwood, b. in Portland, Jan. 16, 1879; lives 
in Harrison. 



ROSS FAMILY. 

JONATHAN ROSS, the father of the Ross family of 
Harrison was born in Berwick, June 3, 1781. His parents 
moved to Shapleigh when he was two years old. He came 
from Shapleigh to Harrison very early and settled on the 
main road leading through the town towards Edes's Falls. 
The house in which he lived is yet standing and in good 
repair. He married ]\Iary, daughter of John and Mary 
(Plaisted) Goodwin, born in York, Maine, January 20. 
1783. He died October 22, 1862. She died September 
17, 1864. Children: 

Joanna Richer, b. June 13, 1804; married Benjamin B. 
Holden of Sweden ; she died Jan. 4, 1894. 

Jonathan, b. Dec. 8, 1805 ; died Dec. 8, 1829. 

James, b. Oct. 13, 1806; married Jane, daughter of Jon- 
athan and Jane (Loring) Lakin of Harrison. Married 
2d. Mary A. Smith of Harrison. He died Oct. 25, 1866. 
Children by first wife: 

I. Adelia M., b. in 1833; married Thomas Baker oi 
Waterford. They had two children who died in 
infancy. 



592 A HISTORY OF THE 

2. Frances Olivia, b. Nov. 5, 1835 ; married Henry C. 

Packard of Harrison. She died Mar. 13, 1897. 

3. Orin, died in youth. 

4. Etta A., b. Aug. 16, 1848 ; married Alphonso Moul- 

ton of Harrison, Mar. 27, 1869. 

Betsy Stanley, b. June 28, 1809; married ist, Jonathan 
Shaw of Standish ; 2d, Henry Pendexter of Bridgton. 
She died Sept. 16, 1898. 

Mary Goodwin, b. June 13, 1812; married Henry B. 
Ruggles of Boston. They had two children: Henry S., 
who is married and has several children and resides in 
Wakefield, Mass. ; and one daughter who died young. 

Samuel Goodwin, b. May 22, 1815; married Phebe Clem- 
mons ; died on the hoinestead. 

Joseph Phinney, b. Jan. 30, 1820; married Elvira L. 
Snow of Porter, Me. (b. Aug. 16, 1818; died Mar. 13, 
1904). He died Apr., 1896. Children: 

1. James Orin, b. Aug. 2, 1846; married Catherine R. 

Arrington of Salem, Mass., Jan. i, 1871 ; children: 
Walter Arrington, b. July, 1872; died Feb. 11, 190&. 
Marion A., b. Nov. 9, 1875. Maud E., b. June i, 
1878; married Harold O. Dyer of Portland, Me., 
Aug. 18, 1902. They have one son, Cecil Arrington. 

2. Mary Abbie, b. May 19, 1848; married Simeon P. 

Pendexter of Bridgton, Nov. i, 1871. Their chil- 
dren, all born in Harrison: Mary G. R., b. Oct. 15, 
1872: married Eugene L. Johnson, July, 1892; died 
Jan. 15, 1893. Ethel E., b. Nov. 21, 1876; married 
Edward Watson of Naples ; their children : Edna 
May, and Earl Bryan. Gertrude N., b. Dec. 18, 
1879; married Eugene L. Johnson of Harrison; 
children : Gladys M., and Sidney L. Charles H., 
b. Feb. 6, 1882: married Flora Etta Harmon of 
Standish ; children : Ruth E., Hazel A., and Dor- 
othy M. Albion W., b. Mar. i, 1887; married 
Myrtle Bryant of Bridgton ; one child : Doris Eloise. 

S.m.ly Phinney, b. Oct. 13, 1821 ; married Joel Mason 
(b. July 25, 1817), of Standish, Apr. 28, 1843; died 
Dec. 17, 1904. Mr. Mason died Nov. 6, 1892. Children: 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 593 

1. Mary Jane, b. May 23, 1844; married Orrin G. Chip- 

man (b. Aug. 2, 1837), Nov. 26, 1864. Children. 
Frank Mason, b. Jan. 13, 1865; married Hattie F. 
Gregor. Lyman Beecher, b. May 13, 187 1; married 
Helen Dennison Millit. They reside in Portland, 
Me. 

2. Lizzie Ellen, b. in 1848 : died in 1850. 

3. Frank Peirce, b. Aug., 1852; died Sept., 1855. 

4. Frances Ellen, b. Oct. 25, 1856; married Nov. 30, 

1876, William H. Skillin of Raymond. They had 
two children: Harlon L., b. Nov. 15, 1882; mar- 
ried Bertha M. Leland of Princeton, Me. ; they have 
two children, Gordan L., and a daughter. Maud, 
b. Oct. 15, 1882: they reside in Portland, Me. 

5. Georgia Anna, b. J\Iar. 8, 1859 ; married Emery Har- 
mon of Harrison. She died Jan. 6, 1892. 

6. Edward Mason, b. May 26, 1862 ; married Mabel 

Dingley of Casco. They have two children : Hattie 
and Helen ; they reside in Raymond, Me. 



RUSSELL FAMILY. 

The ancestors of the Russell family, born in the last 
century in Harrison, were JOHN and SALLY RUSSELL, 
who came here from Alfred, Maine. Their children were: 

Nancy, b. Nov. 30, 1810; married Lewis Monk of Ox- 
ford. 

Alphonso, b. Dec. 29, 1812 ; married Hannah Eaton of 
Alfred, Me. He died Dec. 11, 1888. He was a farmer 
and settled on a farm on Crooked River, near Scribner's 
Mills. He had five daughters ; no sons : 

1. Harriet, b. Nov. 17, 1841 ; died Sept. 6, 1864. 

2. Sarah, b. Alar. 27, 1845 ; died Apr. 10, 1872. 

3. Julia, b. Nov. i, 1847: married Aug. 21, 1870, Jon- 

athan Smith of Otisfield. Mr. Smith died Feb. 26, 
1905. Children: Hattie, b. June 21, 1872; died in 
infancy. William Henry, b. Aug. 13, 1878 ; married 



594 A HISTORY OF THE 

Oct. 28, 1903, Eva Odelle, daughter of John and 
Hannah Meserve ; they have one son, George Alfred, 
b. June 3, 1904. Alfred Eaton, b. Sept. 8, 1884; 
graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1905 ; is clerk 
in a hotel in Portland. 

4. Cynthia, b. July 30, 1849 ; married Benjamin Chand- 

ler of Bartlett, N. H. Children: Mabel Chandler, 
b. Mar. 26, 1872. Frank Alphonso, b. Apr. i, 1880; 
lives in Portland. 

5. Clara, b. May 18, 1854; married David Henry Ward 
of Sebago, May, 1875. Children : Alphonso Eaton, 
b. Dec. 16, 1876: married Mary Knight of Naples; 
children : Olive. Earnest Everett, b. Dec. 30, 1900. 
Bernice Olive, b. Mar., 1902. Evelyn May, b. Aug., 
1904. Doris Marie, b. Apr., 1906. They live in 
Naples. Dana Danish, b. Feb. 7, 1879; lives in 
Boston. Louis, b. Jan. 9, 1888; lives in Boston; 
married Ella, daughter of Charles and Sophia Went- 
worth of Harrison ; have one daughter, Etta, b. Dec. 
30, 1907. 

Calvin, b. Feb. 25, 1815: married Huldah, daughter of 
Henry Hobbs of Harrison; settled in south part of the 
town. He died . 

Sally, b. Sept. 9, 1818; married Uriah K. Daily of East 
Cambridge, Mass. 



JAMES SAMPSON, THE PIONEER. 

Tracing the genealogy of the pioneer of Harrison Vil- 
lage to its source in America, it reads thus: James (5), 
Allies (4), Miles (3), Abraham (2), Abraham (i). 

Abraham, ancestor of James, supposed to have been a 
brother of Henry, of the Mayflower company, came from 
England a few years after Henry — probably about 1629 
or 1630, and settled in Duxbury, in the old Colony. He 
was on the list of persons in Duxbury "able to bear arms" 
in 1643, which included all able bodied males — -sixteen to 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 595 

sixty. He was one of the fifty-four original grantees of 
Bridgewater, 1645, all of whom resided in Diixbury. Abra- 
ham did not remove. He was surveyor of highways in 
1648; constable in 1653; admitted freeman of- Plymouth 
colony, 1654. No record of him after 1686. 

The wife of Abraham — no name — was of an hon- 
orable family ; her father was Lieutenant Samuel Nash 
of Duxbury, Plymouth County. He was frequently en- 
gaged in military expeditions of the Colony, and was an 
officer in nearly all of them, and was frequently honored 
with civil trusts — sheriff or chief marshal of the Colony 
from 1652, more than twenty years. 

F.\Mous Fighters on L.\nd and Sea. 

Captain Simeon Samson (name without the p — his name 
always thus — unquestionably the true method of writing 
the name) of the line of Abraham, was a seafaring man; 
was employed by merchants of Plymouth. In 1760, he 
was taken prisoner by the French from a Plymouth vessel. 
The French captain released the vessel on promise of pay- 
ment of money. Samson was left as hostage, but he es- 
caped in the dress of a female and returned to his family 
in Plymouth. He was appointed first naval Captain by 
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts and commanded 
the Brigantine "Independence" months before the Declara- 
tion of Independence. She belonged to the province and 
was built at Kingston. 

James, the Harrison pioneer, had a sister Asenath ; and 
Deborah — "a very worthy woman." Deborah Bonney 
Sampson, mother of James, was a sister of Mrs. Eleazer 
Hamlin, grandmother of Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Senator 
from Maine, and Vice-President of the United States. 
Abraham (2) married Sarah Standish, daughter of Alexan- 
der and Sarah (Alden) Standish, and granddaughter of 
Miles Standish and of John Alden, pilgrims of the May- 
flower, 1620, all of Duxbury. (The Sampsons in America.) 



596 a history of the 

The Sampson Family of Harrison. 

Two branches of the Sampson family of New England, 
have lived in Harrison. The first settler of Harrison Vil- 
lage was Tames Sampson, sixth son of Miles Sampson of 
Duxbury in the old Plymouth Colony. He was born April 
nth, 1764. He had a brother, Ahira, next older than him- 
self, who lived on the old homestead in Duxbury, was a 
soldier in Col. Josiah Whitney's Regiment in August, 1778, 
in the Rhode Island expedition. The name Ahira occurs 
often in the genealogy of the family. 

James was a descendant in the fifth generation from Abra- 
ham Sampson, who came from England 1629 or 1630, 
and settled in Duxbury. He is believed to have been a 
brother to Henry, the paternal ancestor of Thomas R. 
Sampson, who came over in the Mayflower. But though 
James and his numerous descendants could not refer an- 
cestry to the first Pilgrim advent, they can truly claim, and 
with much pride, that they are of the "Seed of Abraham." 
James Sampson settled first in Turner, Maine, where he 
married Jemima Stetson, January 12, 1786. He removed 
to Harrison about 1800, purchased a tract of land on the 
site of the present village, including the water-power from 
Anonymous Pond to Long Pond. He built the first house 
ever erected here, and built mills on the stream, sawing 
lumber and grinding the grain and corn of the other set- 
tlers, some of whom came long distances. He also car- 
ried on the blacksmith's trade, and bred up his son, Ahira, 
to that business. He was possessed of much energy and 
public spirit and did a great deal to stimulate immigration 
to the new township, Otisfield, for it was not till five 
years later that Harrison was incorporated. He died in 
Otisfield in 1853. The children of James and Jemima (Stet- 
son) Sampson were: 

James, married ist, Ruth Stiles. 2nd, Betsey Prince; set- 
tled in Parkman, Me. ; was a farmer : they had children. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 597 

Reuben, married Alary Smith of Harrison. She was a 
sister of Lewis Smith, Icnown as "Deacon Smith," for 
many years a tavern-keeper and wheelwright, and father 
of Lewis Smith, Jr., and Aaron and Ezra Smith. Late 
in Hfe James, the pioneer, made exchange of his Harri- 
son Village estate with Grinfill Blake, Esq., for his val- 
uable farm in Otisfield. This transaction occurred in 
1821, and was an important event to the interests of the 
Harrison community- Air. Sampson and wife, whose 
home was with the family of Reuben, lived to a good 
old age on the beautiful homestead in Otisfield, and he 
and his wife were both buried in that town. Reuben 
lived there and raised a large family, and in after years, 
removed to Worcester, Mass., and died there. 

Deborah, married Isaac Watson of Waterford, Me. 

H.^NNAH, married Daniel Scribner of Otisfield. 

Jemima, married Aaron Huntress of Lincoln, Me. 

Olive, married Thomas Mains of Otisfield. 

Alice, married William Twombly of Norway, who settled 
at Bolster's Mills and died there. (See sketch of Wm, 
Twombly. ) 

Asenath, died in childhood. 

Ahira, b. March 4, 1793, married Polly Stiles of Bridg- 
ton, and settled in Harrison Village. He was a black- 
smith and miller ; he was renowned for his physical 
strength, and possessed to a great degree the generosity 
of heart which characterized his family from much ear- 
lier times to the present day. He died from the effects 
of a fall in his mill in 1869, aged "/"j years. His wife 
died before him, aged 63 years. They had seven children, 
all born in Harrison, as follows : 

1. Asenath, b. Oct. 8, 1813. She resided many years in 

Worcester, Mass., and died there unmarried. 

2. Ruth, b. in 1815, died young. 

3. Susan, b. Aug. 25, 1818, never married. 

4. Christopher Columbus Watson, b. June 22, 1819. 
3. Maria, died unmarried at the age of forty. 

6. Emeline, married Daniel Weltz of Mercer, Me. 

7. Charles L., died young. 



598 A HISTORY OF THE 

Cliristopher C. W. Sampson, married Mary Ann Brown 
of Waterford. He always lived in Harrison Village. He 
was early inured to the life of a canal boatman, and was 
for many years, owner and manager of canal boats. He was 
first Captain of the steamer "Fawn," before 1850, the first 
steamboat ever on the Sebago system of navigation. He 
enjoyed the perfect confidence of his townsmen, and was 
repeatedly elected to the office of selectman. His public 
spirit and generosity of heart were unbounded, and he 
was a noted example of the big-hearted character for 
which his ancestors were for many generations before him, 
distinguished. 

Ten children were born to this family: Sophia A., b. 
Sept. 10, 1841 ; married Charles D. XMiittemore of Wor- 
cester, Mass. ; died in Harrison, Dec. 8, 1869. Mary A. 
b. Dec. 5, 1842. Charles L., b. Jan. 5, 1845. Christopher 
H., b. Feb. 8, 1847; died in infancy. Asenath E., b. Nov. 
5, 1849; married. (See Pitts family.) S. Nellie, b. July 
19, 1851 ; died in infancy. George B., b. March 3, 1853; 
married Mary J. King of New Hampshire ; lives in Wor- 
cester, Mass. Abbie C, b. June 21, 1858, married William 
Haskell of Harrison. Alice J., b. June 23, i860, married. 
(See Pitts family.) Frank H., b. Aug. 12, 1862, married 
Vertie Brickett. They have one son, Fred. 



THOMAS R. SAMPSON. 

Most of the Sampsons in America, it is presumed, are 
descendants of Henry and Abraham Sampson of Duxbury, 
Massachusetts. The genealogical history of the family is 
clear and indisputable. Henry Sampson was one of the 
Pilgrims who came in the world-renowned Mayflower to 
Plymouth in 1620 — a member of the family of his uncle, 
Edward Tilley — and was too young to sign the immortal 
compact of November nth, in the cabin of the vessel 
while at anchor in the harbor of Provincetown. He was 
enumerated in assignment of land in 1623, and was ad- 







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Thomas Robie Sampson 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 599 

mitted a freeman of Plymouth Colony in 1637. The resi- 
dence of the Sampsons of the line of Henry was in Dux- 
bury, for several generations. In 1710, Benjamin Sampson, 
son of Stephen, and grandson of Henry the emigrant, was 
living in Duxbury, and about that time removed to Kings- 
ton. He was the ancestor of the Sampsons of that town. 
He was a trader, and had a store of goods. In his will 
he is called a "merchant ;" elsewhere he is called "gentle- 
man," indicating that he was a man of property and stand- 
ing in his town. 

The will of Benjamin provided for his widow, for Micah 
and others of his children, and for Micah, a grandson, son 
of Micah. The grandson Micah, born in 1740, was in 
1775 a Corporal in Capt. William Crocker's Company, sta- 
tioned at Falmouth (now Portland) for seacoast defence, 
from July 17th to December 31st of that year ; also through 
the months of March, April, May, September, October, 
and November, 1776; also in January, February, and 
March, 1777; and was in the expedition to the Penobscot 
in July, August, and September, 1779. 

After the war, Micah Sampson, the soldier, settled in 
Portland. He was the first tinsmith who ever worked in 
that city, and when Mowatt bombarded and burned the city 
in the War of the Revolution, Mr. Sampson took his tinners' 
tools in a boat and rowed across Back Cove while the 
British shot were falling around him, thus saving his prop- 
erty from destruction. He raised a large family of chil- 
dren in Portland. John Sampson, his youngest son, born 
in 1788, kept a grocery and provision store on Congress 
Street, opposite Green Street. He married Abigail Roby, 
daughter of Rev. Thomas Roby of Otisfield, in 1809. She 
was born in 1792, and died in 1858. Mr. Sampson died 
in 1832. 

The children of John and Abigail (Roby) Sampson were: 
Thomas R., born August 11, 181 1; Micah, born in 1816; 
Lucretia S., born in 1821. 



600 A HISTORY OF THE 

THOMAS R. SAMPSON, son of John Sampson, married 
Amelia Horton of Portland in 1834. She died in July, 
1840. Their children were as follows: 

Ellen A., b. in Portland, Jan. 6, 1836; married Henry 
Cary, and resides in Auburn, Me. 

Thomas P., b. in Portland, May 20, 1840: married Mrs. 
Nellie Lane, and resides at South Paris, Me. 

Air. Sampson married (for second wife) Harriet Cary. 
in October, 1841. She was born in Turner, Maine, August 
24, 1814, and died in Harrison, September 27, 1906. The 
children of Thomas R. and Harriet (Cary) Sampson were 
as follows : 

Howard L., b. in Portland, Aug. 18, 1842 ; married Helen 
L. Curtis of Freeport, Me. She was born Aug. 12, 
1852, and died July 10. 1878. 

Harriet S., b. in Harrison in 1848, and died the next year. 

Cassander C, b. in Harrison, Sept. 2, 1850. 

Thomas R. Sampson removed from Portland to Harrison 
in 1847, and was engaged in mercantile business until 
the date of his death, January 16, 1885. During his long 
residence in Harrison Village, he maintained an unblem- 
ished character as a citizen and business man, and was 
universally popular, and esteemed for his kind disposition 
and urbanity of manners. He was elected Town Clerk 
in 185 1, and held the office for thirteen consecutive years. 
He was again elected in 187 1, and held the office until his 
death in January, 1885, or for fifteen consecutive years. 
He was chairman of the Selectmen in 1853-54, and held 
the office of Town Treasurer for thirteen years. He was 
a devoted Christian, and an active member of the Con- 
gregational Church. He died at his home in Harrison 
Milage, January 16, 1885. His widow continued to reside 
at the Sampson homestead until her death on September 
27, 1906, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. She 




Rev. Cassanuek Cakev Sampsux 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 6oi 

retained her health and mental faculties to a remarkable 
degree up to within a few days of her death, which was 
caused by injuries received in a fall. 

Howard L. Sampson, oldest son of Thomas and Harriet 
(Cary) Sampson, was for twenty-two years a clerk and 
partner of his father, was his successor in business, and 
continued in the mercantile business at the old stand of 
"T. R. Sampson & Son," until his retirement in 1892. He 
was for many years a great sufterer from rheumatic 
troubles, which left him in a somewhat crippled condition, 
thus preventing him from entering into active business. 
He was appointed to the position of Town Clerk when it 
was vacated by the death of his father, and has continued 
in the position to the present time, or twenty-two consecu- 
tive years, there never having been an opposing candidate 
at any election. 

Cassander C. Sampson, youngest son of Thomas R. 
and Harriet (Cary) Sampson, graduated from Bridgton 
Academy in 1868, from Bowdoin College in 1873, and from 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1878, having in the mean- 
time taught school for two years. At Bowdoin College 
he was in the same class with Hon. George M. Seiders, and 
Isaac L. Elder, Esq., of Portland. After graduating in 
1878, he entered at once into the ministry, preaching a year 
at Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. From there 
he went to Pembroke, Xew Hampshire, where he preached 
for five years. In 1885, he accepted a call from the Con- 
gregational Church at Tilton, Xew Hampshire, and has 
been located there since that date. 

He is a frequent visitor to his native town where he is 
deservedly popular. He usually spends a few weeks dur- 
ing each summer with his brother at the old homestead 
in the Village. He has made an important contribution 
to this book, the Centennial Sermon, delivered at the 
Congregational Church on the Sabbath before the Cen- 



602 A HISTORY OF THE 

tennial Celebration being the production of his pen. He 
very kindly gave permission to publish, and furnished 
corrected copy. It fills a gap in the religious history of 
this town which the editors would have found it difficult 
to bridge over without it. He also delivered a very able 
address at the Centennial Celebration, which attracted much 
attention, but, unfortunately, no report was made of it. 

G. F. 



SCRIBNER FAMILIES. 

The first of this name who settled in Harrison was 
SAMUEL SCRIBNER, who settled on the western side 
of the hill now known as "Summit Hill" — formerly Scrib- 
ner's and Burnham Hill. He married Hannah Watson. 
Samuel Scribner died June 8, 1837, aged sixty-eight years. 
His wife, Hannah, died January 27, 1857, aged seventy- 
eight years, eight months. They had eight children : 

Sally, b. Feb. 7, 1798; married Capt. William P. Harmon 
of Harrison, July 5, 1818. 

BuCKNELL, b. Apr. II, 1799; married Oct. 11, 1820, Nancy 
Dawes of Harrison. They had one child : 
I. Mary D., b. Aug. 25. 1822; married Reuben Hobbs 
(see Hobbs family). 

Mrs. Nancy Scribner died Oct. 3, 1823. He married 2d, 
Sarah Bucknell. Their children : 

1. Sarah B. ; died Apr. 25, 1844. 

2. Maria : married Edwin Bucknell and had children. 

3. Elizabeth ; no record. 

Bucknell Scribner died Sept. 11, 1859. 

Mary, b. Nov. 25, 1800; married Mar. 26, 1818, James 
Chadbourne of Harrison. (See Chadbourne family.) 

Lucy B.. b. Nov. 2^. 1802; married Foster Cummings. 
(See Cummings family.) 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 603 

Edward, b. Feb. 14, 1806; died in infancy. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 14, 1806, twin to Edward; married Sept. 
22, 1830, Betsy, daughter of Enoch Spurr of Otisfield, 
b. Dec. 27, 1804, in Otisfield ; Hved long in Harrison, 
and moved to Lewiston and settled and died there, Nov. 
30, 1871. Their children, born in Harrison: 

1. Cyrus E., b. Jan. 24, 1831: married Mary Thomp- 

son of Bingham, Me. They had one son : Ernest \'. 
He is a physician and is superintendent of the In- 
sane Hospital in Worcester, ]\lass. 

2. Annie, b. Aug. 3, 1833; died in Harrison at 10 years 

of age. 

3. Abbie Maria, b. Nov. 26, 1836: married Francis 

Blake Caswell of Lewiston. Me. (.See Caswell fam- 
ily.) She died Sept. 26, 1899. 

4. Samuel J., b. May 27. 1841 : married ist, Mary Ben- 
son : married 2d, Hannah Hill : they have one 

daughter, Blanche, b. , 1869 : married Albert 

Mnrch of Lewiston ; they had two children : Leroy; 
lived only one year. Effie, b. Sept. 11, 1902. 

5. Margaret, b. July 20, 1844 ; died in childhood in 
Lewiston. 

Mrs. Betsy (Spurr) Scribner died January 6, 1889, aged 
eighty-four years. 

]\L\RiA. b. Jan. 8, 1810; married John Caldwell of Paris. 
June 3, 1829. 

David, b. Jan. 18, 1820; married Rebecca Sawyer; they 
had three children : 

1. Kimball : who married Hattie Caldwell of Paris. 

2. j\nn; who married Daniel Scribner of Ridgewav, 

Pa. 

3. Ella ; who married Edward Moody of Lewiston, Me. 

COL. EBENEZER H. SCRIBNER, born in Waterboro, 
Maine; came to Harrison and settled about 1797-8; mar- 
ried Phebe Kimball of Bridgton ; moved to Waterford, 
thence to Raymond ; to Portland, and finally emigrated to 



604 A HISTORY OF THE 

the West, where he died. He was a man of much note in 
business affairs wliile in Maine. They had one son : 

Benjamin Kimball, b. in Harrison, June 3, 1811. 

WILLOUGHBY SCRIBNER, son of Edward ist, came 
from Waterboro and settled in Otisfield, where he Hved 
to be one hundred and five years old. He married Molly, 
daughter of George Peirce, first settler of Otisfield and set- 
tled in the south part of the town on the "River road." 
He died February 27, 1824. His widow died May 20, 
1838. Children : 

Peirce, b. Sept. 11, 1797; married Mary, daughter of 
Jonathan Springer of Harrison, Feb. 10, 1824; and died 
Oct. 8, 1831. His widow died Apr. 29, 1870, aged 70 
years. Their children were : Deborah and Julia. 

Alvah, b. in 1805 : married Jane Phinney of Harrison, 
June 10, 1827; she died Oct. 13, 1844; he died Dec. 
19, 1862. 

Deborah, b. in 1809; died Alar. 12, 1826. 



EDWARD SCRIBNER of ^^'aterboro. married Molly 
(Wentworth I Ricker. He died March, 1804. Children: 

David, b. 1795: married in 1822. Althea Haviland ; she 

died in Feb., 1843. He married 2d, Mrs. Whitmore. 

Children : 

1. Charles, b. in 1823. 

2. Mary, b. in 1825. 

3. Albert, b. in 1827. 

4. Sarah, b. in 1S29. 

5. Francis, b. in 1831. 

6. James, b. in 1833. 

7. Octavia, b. in 1835. 

8. David, b. in 1837. 

Rebecca, b. in 1796, died unmarried. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 605 

Derorah, b. in 1799; married Newell Nutting of Otisfield. 
Her children, born in Otisfield were: Danforth Grov- 
enor, who married Martha, second daughter of Dea. 
John Hancock of Otisfield, who moved to Litchfield, Me. 
Peter, and Josiah Perkins, who was for years a minister 
and successful preacher of the Freewill Baptist Church 
in Me. He married , and resides in Washing- 
ton, D. C. They have a son who is a prosperous phy- 
sician in New Hampshire. 

Sarah, b. in 1801 ; married Benjamin Sanborn of Web- 
ster. 

Margaret, b. in 1804; no further record. 

CLEMENT SCRIBNER. son of Edward, Jr., of Otis- 
field, born February 18, 1799 ; married Chloe Wardwell of 
Otisfield, bom June 20, 1803; moved from Otisfield and set- 
tled on Burnham Hill, near the Summit Spring House. 
Their children were : 

]\L\rtha W., b. Apr. 6, 1824, in Otisfield: married Jacob 
H. Burnham of Harrison. Mr. Burnham died June i, 
1853. J^Irs. Martha Burnham died June 12, 1896. (See 
Burnham family.) 

James, b. in Otisfield, Apr. 12, 1828; died Mar. 12, 1851. 

Mary, b. Apr. 12, 1830; married Benjamin Skillings of 
Harrison. (See Stuart family.) 

Eri : birth unknown : settled in Harrison : married daugh- 
ter of Edwin Chute of Otisfield. Their daughter mar- 
ried Frank Foster of Harrison. Mr. Scribner was a 
union soldier, a member of Co. B, 23d Regt. Me. Inf. ; 
resides at Harrison Village. 

Clement Sumner, b. Apr., 1840; died Apr. 10, 1844. 

ELIJAH SCRIBNER, son of Daniel, who settled in 
Otisfield in 1799, was born January 11, 1800. He married 
Dorothy, daughter of John and Dorcas (Stevens) Piper of 
Otisfield, b. May 25, 1800. He was a practical mill-man 



6o6 A HISTORY OF THE 

from boyhood. In the early years of their married Hfe, 
they resided at Holden's Mills on the Outlet of Saturday 
Pond, where some of their children were born. They 
moved to Harrison about 1852 and Mr. Scribner, in com- 
pany with his eldest son, Cyrus, purchased the saw mill 
and water power, with a tract of land adjoining, of Worthy 
C. Barrows. That saw mill and the dam and bridge were 
erected in 1847-8. Children: 

Cyrus, b. Aug. 12, 1825; married Aug. 12, 1866, Hannah 
Elizabeth Prince of Oxford, Me. Their children, born 
in Harrison : 

1. Nellie Jones, b. June 18, 1867; married June 6, 1894, 

Gardner Howard Rankin of East Hiram, Me. Chil- 
dren : Dorothy Hope, b. Mar. 23, 1897. Lucian 
Scribner, b. July 3, 1898. Elaine, b. May 17, 1901. 

2. Bourdon Cushing, b. Feb. 16, 1869; resides at East 

Hiram : unmarried. 

3. Jesse Prince, b. Sept. 20, 1870; married June 29, 

1899, Berdina Georgia Whitman of Otisfield. Chil- 
dren: Edward Jesse, b. Nov. 15. 1900. Georgia 
Ellen, b. Jan. 15, 1902. Mary Elizabeth, b. Oct. 
23, 1906. 

4. Eugene Arthur, b. Nov. 10, 1877: died Oct. 3, 1899. 

Eleanor Reed, b. Jan. 26, 1828; married Daniel Jones. 
She lived in Norwell, Mass., many years, and died there 
Feb. 28, 1901. 

Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1830; married Ann Scribner of Har- 
rison. Has lived many years in Ridgeway, Pa. 

Irene Barrows, b. Oct. 18. 1832; married ist, John Tur- 
ney : 2d, Martin S. Curtis ; they reside in Norwell, Mass. 

Lydia Jane. b. Jan. 14. 1838: died Mar. 2"/, 1861. 

Eliza Shurtleff. b. Oct. 18, 1839; died Mar. 3. 1864. 

Bourdon, b. Jan. 14, 1848 ; he was a soldier boy, enlisting 
at the age of 18 in Capt. Almon A. Fogg's Co. H., 17th 
Regt. Me. Vol. Inf. and was mustered into the U. S. 
service, Aug. 18, 1862. He was in service continuously 
fifteen months, participating actively in the battles of 




Mu:^ |)(iU(llilV SCRIBNER 

M.'iy -'5, tSoo — March 3, 1901 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 607 

Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and on other fields in Vii- 
ginia. He was with his company in an engagement at 
Orange Grove, Va., one of a series of battles fought 
Nov. 26 to 28, 1863, under the name of the battle of 
"Mine Run," and was instantly killed by a shot through 
the head, Nov. 2-j, 1863. 

Deacon Elijah Scribner was, from his early life, a mem- 
ber of the Free Will Baptist Church of Otisfield until his 
moving to Harrison, when he united with the Harrison 
church. He was distinguished among professors of re- 
ligion for his strict piety and devotedness to religious duty. 
His house was a "house of prayer," and his life was an 
example of Christian uprightness. He died October 13, 
1876. 

Mrs. Dorothy Scribner was one of eleven children by 
the first wife of Dr. Piper, her father. After her death, 
he married Mrs. Annie B. Thurston, widow of Jacob Thurs- 
ton of Otisfield, by whom he had six children, making a 
family of seventeen by both wives. She was married to 
Mr. Scribner in 1823, by Rev. Josiah G. Merrill of Otis- 
field. On the occasion of the looth anniversary of her 
birth. May 25, 1900, all her living children were present 
at the old home of the family at Scribner's Mills, Harrison. 
They were : Cyrus, of Harrison ; Ellen and Irene of Nor- 
well, Massachusetts, and Daniel of Ridgeway, Pennsylva- 
nia. Three grandchildren and two great grandchildren were 
also present. There were no special exercises. A poem 
was contributed by Granville Fernald of Washington, D. C, 
inscribed to Mrs. Scribner. Her faculties were remarka- 
bly preserved, she being able to go about the house freely, 
write letters, and made two quilts only a little while before 
and her memory and recognition of friends were perfect 
and unimpaired. Her father lived to be ninety-seven, and 
her grandfather to one hundred and three years of age. 
She went to live with her grandfather, Jonathan Piper, at 
the age of ten years, and to her last days had vivid rec- 



6o8 A HISTORY OF THE 

ollections of hearing liini relate stories of his army Hfe 
in the war of the Revokition which were thrilling to hear; 
and he, at one time, said : "Don't ever let me tell of those 
things, Dolly, they make me feel so bad." Mrs. Dorothy 
Scribner died March 3, 1901, aged one hundred years, 
nine months, eight days. 



CYRUS SCRIBNER'S SONS. 

Cyrus Scribner, at the age of si.xty, after thirty years 
of active and successful business, lumbering and farming, 
ceased to exercise his personal oversight to those familiar 
interests, and resigned them into the hands of his two 
sons, Bourdon, sixteen, and Jesse, fourteen years of age. 
These boys were brought up in close acquaintance with all 
the various branches of lumber-sawing from log to finish, 
and so level-headed and capable, that they took up the work 
and all the responsibilities devolving upon them, as the 
natural successors to their father, and in all matters of 
buying, selling and manufacturing, have from that time, 
now twenty-five years, continued as sole owners and man- 
agers of the milling properties and business of Scribner 
Brothers, at Scribner's Mills, Harrison. The scope of 
the lumber trade under their management has greatly in- 
creased, so that the amount of business at the home plant 
represents only a part of the lumbering business in which 
these ambitious yoimg men are engaged. During the last 
twelve years, they have operated extensively in the manu- 
facture of spool stock from white birch, staves from oak 
and long lumber from pine, hemlock and spruce, in Nor- 
way, Rumford and Hiram. In 1907, they purchased a 
valuable timber tract in Hiram of 2,800 acres, belonging 
to the Hiram Lumber Co., Inc., and under the same "style" 
they are operating the large lumber mills, also purchased 
from said former company, with very promising success. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



609 



The prosperity in business and the honorable career of 
Scribner Brothers in all their enterprises and under all 
their connections with other parties, is a source of the 
highest gratification to all their townsmen and acquain- 
tances everywhere. While the lumber business at Scribner's 
in Harrison goes briskly on with a home demand for all 
its products under the management of Jesse, the mills of 
the Hiram Lumber Company at East Hiram, managed by 
Bourdon, are busy and prosperous. It is all very encourag- 
ing as an example of the tact, shrewdness and persistency 
of two straight, young Maine boys. 

G. F. 



SMITH FAMILY. 

Of the several Smiths — good and true men and women 
who have lived in Harrison, our ideal as a subject of local 
history is "Deacon" LEWIS SMITH. He was not deacon 
of any church, I think — just plain Deacon, because he was 
so sober, sincere and dependable in every way. The place 
of birth of Mr. Smith is not known ; but he was born 
about January, 1798, as he died December 28, 1872, aged 
seventy-five years. He married Jemima Packard, born in 
1800, believed to have been a daughter of Jonathan Pack- 
ard, one of the earliest settlers before 1800. She was a 
woman of excellent traits of character and greatly esteemed 
as a neighbor and friend. She died in Harrison, July 15, 
i86g, aged sixty-nine years. Mr. Smith was the first tav- 
ern keeper in town. (See Hotels, p. 213 to 217), and 
for many years after retiring from that business, lived in 
the house now owned by Henry Haskell, and worked in 
a shop, near his house, as a wheelwright. He was a good 
worlvman at his trade. The children of Lewis and Je- 
mima Smith were : 



6lO A HISTORY OF THE 

Eunice : who died young. 

Lewis, Jr., b. June lo, 1829. He was educated in the 
common school and at Bridgton Academy. He early 
learned the cabinet makers' trade with Benjamin Clark 
in Harrison Village, and for many years thereafter worked 
successively in Harrison, Lancaster, N. H., in an organ 
factory in Worcester, Mass., at the celebrated furniture 
works of Walter Corey, Portland, and in Bridgton, Me. 
It was after a lengthy and successful career in the fur- 
niture trade in Harrison, that he moved to Bridgton in 
1868, and erected a large mill on one of the lower water- 
powers of Stevens' brook, near the Forest Woolen Mill. 
Here he installed machinery for sawing, planing and do- 
ing a general business of manufacturing sash, blinds, 
doors and other building material, staves and furniture 
and had at the same time, an undertaking establishment. 
His brother, Aaron Smith, was his partner in business a 
number of years during this period. In 1887, Mr. Smith 
erected a large building near Pondicherry Square, for a 
general repository of fine furniture and house furnish- 
ings, in which enterprise he was prosperous and success- 
ful to the period of his death, Jan., 1899, at the age of 
70 years. He was, during his whole life, a model of 
uprightness and industry in business, and for thirty years 
to the date of his death, he was one of the most promi- 
nent factors of the business and social life of Bridgton. 
He early in life embraced religion and joined the Con- 
gregational Church in Harrison. He transferred his 
membership in that church to the ist Congregational of 
Bridgton, in which he was promoted to the office of 
Deacon, which he worthily held to the time of his de- 
cease. He was, for years, a worthy member of Cumber- 
land Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Oriental Lodge, F. & A. 
M., of Bridgton. Mr. Smith married in Harrison, first 
wife, Susan C. Brickett of Stow, Me., by whom he had 
two daughters : 

I. Lelia Augusta, b. Feb. 8, 1859; educated in the pub- 
lic and high schools of Bridgton and has been many 
years employed as a clerk in a famous school-book 
emporium in Boston, and is now in the employ of 
the Fiske Teachers' Agency in Boston. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 6l I 

2. Celia Agnes, b. June 13, i860; educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Bridgton ; married Apr. 16, 1884, Wil- 
liam H. Thaxter of Portland. Their children are . 
Roger Lewis, b. May i, 1886. Helen Gerrish, b. 
July 3, 1887. Frederic Smith, b. Apr. i, 1895; 
died Apr. 14, 1895. William Hooper, b. Sept. 27, 
1896; they reside in Portland. 

Harriet, b. Jan. 2, 1832: married William Fred LeBaron ; 
she died in Harrison, Sept. 14, 1859 ; they had two chil- 
dren, born in Harrison : 

1. Lizzie: died in infancy. 

2. Emma Frances, b. Apr. 27, 1859 : married Arthur 

Hersom and resides in Dorchester, Mass. : their chil- 
dren : Fred ; died young. Edith Frances : resides 
with parents. Gladys LeBaron. Ellsworth Fogg. 
The last two died young. 

Aaron, b. Mar. 2, 1834; resides in Hampstead, N. H. ; he 
married ist, Adelaide Maynard, daughter of Moses W. 
and ^lartha (Brigham) !ilaynard, b. in Leicester, Mass., 
Aug., 1833; married in Worcester, May i, 1861 ; she 
died in Worcester, July, 1865 ; he married 2d. Jan. 27, 
1870. in Lawrence, Alass., Mary (Storey) Fuller, b. in 
Dunbarton, N. H., Mar. 12, 1837; she was daughter of 
Jared and Thankful (Storey) Fuller. Children, born in 
Bridgton, Me. : 

1. Harriet Davenport Fuller, b. Feb. i, 1872; died in 

Bridgton, June 11, 1874. 

2. Elizabeth Fuller, b. June 9, 1877; resides with her 
parents. 

Aaron Smith enlisted as a private in Capt. John W. Em- 
erson's Co. E, 42d Regiment of Infantry, ?vlassachusetts 
Volunteers, September 30, 1862. to serve nine months. 
He was discharged August 20, 1863. He re-enlisted as a 
private in Capt. J. O. Bemis' Co. D, 14th regiment of Heavy 
Artillery, Massachusetts \'olunteers, August 9, 1864, to 
serve to close of the war. He was discharged June 17, 
1865, at Fort Richardson, \'irginia. Mr. Smith was, before 
the war, employed in various machine shops in Alassachu- 



6l2 A HISTORY OF THE 

setts, and as partner of Lewis Smith, Jr., his brother, in 
Bridgton, Maine, in conducting their large manufacturing 
business. 

Ezra C.\rey, b. Nov. 28, 1835; died Nov. 20, 1867; un- 
married; he was a merchant's clerk in Harrison, and 
later employed on a railroad as a trainman in Massachu- 
setts. 

Emily Jane, b. Aug. 5, 1838; died Mar. 5, 1864. 



SPRINGER FAMILY. 

JONATHAN SPRINGER and family lived many years 
in a house next east of the homestead of Samuel Walker, 
the residence of Charles Lincoln Walker, where the family 
of Henry Whitney are now living. The children of Mr. 
Springer, so far as is known were: 
George Washington, a bright and enterprising business 

man, who left Harrison in his early manhood. 

Mary ; married Capt. Peirce Scribner, and after the death 
of her husband, lived in Harrison Village in a house 
near the foot of the "great hill." She was a woman 
of fine intelligence and of high Christian character. She 
was a member of the Free Baptist Church of Harri- 
son. 

Betsy, 2d daughter, was much esteemed in her neighbor- 
hood for many good traits of character. She was never 
married. 



STANLEY FAMILY. 

Three brothers by this name, born in Limington, Maine, 
settled and lived many years in Harrison and were among 
the substantial and best respected families of the town. 



TOWN OF HAERISOX. 613 

EDWARD STANLEY, bom in Limington, Maine, Sep- 
tember 14, 1791, married Roxana, born February 29, 1792, 
daughter of Enoch and Abigail Wight Spurr of Otisfield. 
He was a member and Deacon of the Congregational 
Church of Harrison, and held important civil trusts in town. 
They had nine children: Benjamin; two daughters named 
Harriet : two sons named Grinfill, all died in childhood. 

Samuel, lived to manhood in Harrison ; married Betsy 
Russell of Bethel ; they had one son, Ossian, b. in Har- 
rison; lives in Bethel. 

Edward Paysox, b. in Harrison ; married Clara, daughter 
of Josiah A. and Miriam Stuart of Harrison. He moved 
to the West and lived in California. 

Julia A., b. in Harrison, July 5, 1829 ; died Oct. 18, 1847. 

Mary, b. in Harrison ; removed to Bethel with the family 

of her brother Samuel and married Carter of Bethel. 

She is deceased. Deacon Edward Stanley died Dec. 22, 
1870. Mrs. Roxana Stanley died Feb. 10, 1863. 

JOHN STANLEY, born December 25, 1798; married 
Eunice Wentworth, daughter of Wm. H. Wentworth of Lim- 
ington, ^le. He died March 16, 1872. She died September 
30,1886. Their children were : 

Sarah Boothby. b. Sept. 15, 1820; married William W. 
Wentworth, !Mar. 25, 1840 : ■Mr. Wentworth was a farm- 
er and blacksmith. Their children were : 

1. William Henry, b. July 20, 1841 ; married Nov. 22, 

1862, Mary C. Bean, daughter of Richard Bean of 
Otisfield. 

2. Jolin Stanley, b. IMar. 25, 1843; married Jan. i, 1870, 

Almeda E. Lakin, daughter of Thos. P. and Isabel 
(Ridlon I Lakin of Harrison. Their children: Les- 
ter I^IcLellan ; b. Jan. 2, 1871 ; resides in Harrison ; 
is a carpenter by trade ; unmarried. John E., b. 
Apr. 27, 1880: graduated at Bridgton Academy in 
class of '99, as Valedictorian ; entered Cornell Uni- 
versity same year ; took a scholarship by special 
examination, over twenty other candidates ; prepared 



6l4 A HISTORY OF THE 

for the bar at the Boston University Law School ; 
is a practicing lawyer in Boston. 

3. Eunice, b. Feb. 20, 1845 ; married Apr. 13, 1863, 

Daniel Thompson of Harrison. Children : Freder- 
ick W., b. Sept. II, 1863. Herman, b. Jan. 10, 1866. 

4. Albion C, b. Jan. 6, 1847; married . Married 

2d, Mary Lord of Parsonsfield, Alay 15, 1864; their 
daughter, Mary Lillian, b. Oct. 25, 1865, in Parsons- 
field; married and had children. 

5. Sarah M., b. Apr. 4, 1849; died Sept. 12, 1868. 
Rox.\x.\, b. Apr. 15, 1822; died Apr. 3. 1894, unmarried. 

BENJAMIN STANLEY, born July 26, 1799; married 
October 16, 1829, Lydia E. Thompson, born January i, 
1805. Mr. Stanley lived many years in Harrison until 
his enlistment in the service of his country during the Civil 
War. He enlisted at the age of forty-three years in Cap- 
tain William W. Whitmarsh's Company G of the 29th 
Regiment ]\Iaine Volunteers, and was mustered into the 
United States service, December 16, 1863, at Augusta, 
Maine. The regiment, commanded by Col. George L. Beal 
of Norway, served in the Department of the Gulf, and 
was in the Red River expedition in 1864. Comrade Stan- 
ley died on Steamship "Catawba" on her vo)-age conveying 
troops from New Orleans to New York and about two 
days from the latter city, June 27, 1864. ^^Irs. Lydia Stan- 
ley died November 22, 1889. Their children were : 

Benjamin Franklin, b. Dec. 5, 1830; married Elizabeth 
Graves of Athens, Me. She died in Harrison, July 19, 
1905. Their children : 

1. Frances Lydia, b. Dec. 19, 185 1 : resides at parental 
home. 

2. George Franklin, b. Dec. 10, 1853 : married Sept. 24, 

1876, Ella Burke of Rowley, Mass., b. Feb. 9, 1858. 
They have one son, Arthur Penrhyn, b. June 21, 1877. 
He is a graduate of Bridgton Academy, and is in the 
railroad business as station agent ; also express agent 



TOWN' OF HARRISON. 615 

at the Harrison station of the Bridgton & Saco 
\'alley R. R. 

Harriet, b. Oct. 27, 1832 ; married Nov. 25. 1852, Rev. 
Isaac Penington Roberts. He was many years a circuit 
preacher in the East Maine Conference. He is now su- 
perannuated and, with his wife, resides in Boston. They 
have one son, LesHe Manter, wiio is a business man in 
New York City. 

Cyrus King, b. Feb. 10, 1835 ; died in Chicago, Sept. 14, 
1904. 

LvDi.x, b. I\Iar. 4. 1839; died Feb. 28, 1855. 

Martha Louise, b. Apr. 18, 1841 : married Joseph Frank- 
lin Wight of Boston, in Harrison. Mr. Wight is a mem- 
ber of the firm of Wight Brothers in Chauncy street, 
Boston. They reside in \\'ellesley, Mass. 



STROUT FA^kHLY. 

ALMOX AUGUSTUS STROUT was born in Liming- 
ton, York County, ilaine. May 8, 1835. He was the son 
of Ehsha and !\Iary (Hagan) Strout, who were both na- 
tives of Limington. His paternal ancestors were English 
emigrants, who located at, or near, Cape Cod, and later 
settled in the section of the country about Portland, ]Maine. 
His mother was a daughter of Walter Hagan, a prominent 
resident of Limington, whose ancestors settled in Scar- 
boro. They w-ere descendants of the O'Hagan family of 
Brehons, or lawgivers, formerly of the north of Ireland. 

In 1838, the family bought a farm in the western part 
of Bridgton, and moved there to live. There I\Ir. Strout 
spent the early part of his life, attending the common 
schools during the winter months. At an early age he 
was ambitious for greater things than he could find at home 
on the farm, and at the age of si.xteen he began to prepare 



6l6 A HISTORY OF THE 

for a more thorough education. His mother was as anx- 
ious as he that he should have every opportunity, and 
it was largely due to her encouragement and vigilant efforts 
in his behalf, that he was able to so successfully carry 
out his plans. Teaching between terms, he completed the 
course at North Bridgton and Fryeburg Academies, and 
then entered the office of Joel Eastman at Conway, New 
Hampshire. For ten months he studied law with Mr. 
Eastman, and then entered the office of Howard & Strout 
of Portland, where he found as fellow-student, Eugene 
Hale, later United States Senator from Maine. With Mr. 
Hale he was admitted to the Bar February 13, 1857. He 
first located at Harrison as successor to the office and 
professional practice of Hon. Harrison Blake. Here he 
entered at once upon a large and lucrative practice and 
won considerable reputation as a successful advocate in 
jury cases. 

Very soon after Mr. Strout came to Harrison there was 
a great revival of interest in agricultural matters, it being 
about the time that the first fair was held, and of the sub- 
sequent movement for the formation of a Farmers' Club. 
Mr. Strout kindly gave all possible assistance in the mat- 
ter, and when the movement started his office was for 
a time made its headquarters. He was the first Secre- 
tary of the Club, and several pages of the first book of 
records are in his handwriting. He was chairman of the 
committee to draft a constitution, and the instrument gives 
ample evidence that it was drawn by a practiced hand. The 
records show that he was a frequent attendant at the meet- 
ings, and an active participant in the discussions. He served 
the Club as Secretary through 1859 and i860, after which his 
law practice became so extensive that he was obliged to de- 
vote his time to that to the exclusion of all minor matters. 

In 1863, he left Harrison and returned to Portland, 
where he succeeded to the law business of Shepley & Dana, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 617 

and in 1866, he entered into partnership with Hon. George 
F. Shepley, which partnership continued until Gen. Shep- 
ley was appointed United States Judge in June, 1869. Mr. 
Strout continued his practice alone until 1873, at which 
time the great increase in the business caused him to form 
a partnership with George F. Holmes, under the firm name 
of Strout & Holmes. 

His industry and marked ability, together with his as- 
sociation with such men as Gen. Shepley, caused him soon 
to make his way to the front of his profession, and to rank 
as a learned and successful lawyer. He was appointed 
general counsel for the Grand Trunk Railway for New 
England in 1882, and held that position till the time of 
his death. He was also made counsel for the Boston & 
Lowell road in 1884, and continued as such until the road 
was absorbed by the Boston & Maine. 

In January, 1889, Mr. Strout formed a partnership 
with his assistant counsel for the Boston & Lowell, Mr. 
William H. Coolidge, and opened an office in Boston under 
the firm name of Coolidge & Strout. In January, 1895, 
his son, Henry F. Strout, was admitted to partnership in 
this firm, and in 1897, Mr. Strout severed his connection 
with the firm and entered into partnership with C. A. 
Hight of Portland, who had been associated with him for 
some years in his railroad law work. 

Politically Mr. Strout was early affiliated with the Doug- 
las wing of the Democratic party, and took an active 
part in the presidential campaign of i860, speaking several 
times in Harrison and the vicinity. These were probably 
his "maiden" political speeches, and those who heard them 
remember that they were able and convincing. At the be- 
ginning of the War of the Rebellion he identified himself 
with the War Democrats, laboring for the preservation 
of the Union. Finding himself at the next presidential 
election very largely in accord with Republican policy he 



6l8 A HISTORY OF THE 

voted for the re-election of President Lincoln, after which 
he continued during the remainder of his life to work for 
the Republican party, taking an active part in many of 
the campaigns. 

He acted as assistant counsel for the United States for 
the distribution of the Geneva award, and several times 
as senior counsel in important cases. His legal and polit- 
ical experience increased rapidly, and in 1879, he was 
elected as Representative to the State Legislature from 
Portland, but was deprived of his seat upon the pretext 
that, although election returns showed his majority to be 
more than six hundred votes, they also contained the words, 
"scattering, forty-three votes." In the sharp contest caused 
by this decision Mr. Strout took an active part, acting as 
chairman of the committee representing the Republican 
members of the Legislature, to draw up the statement of 
their side of the case, in preparation for its submission with 
interrogations to the Supreme Court. When the issue 
was brought before the Court its opinion sustained the 
Republicans in their side of the case, and Mr. Strout met 
with the hearty approval and recognition of his valuable 
services by his constituents, as he was again nominated 
in the campaign of 1880, and elected by a decisive ma- 
jority, and re-elected in 1881. While in the Legislature 
he took a very active part in all legislative matters, serving 
as chairman of the judiciary committee. 

Unremitting attention to business finally caused him. to 
suffer from physical exhaustion, and on March 14, 189S, 
he left Portland for California, with the hope that a change 
of climate might bring a renewal of good health. When he 
had journeyed as far as El Paso, his condition became so 
serious that his wife and son returned with him as soon 
as possible to Boston. There he hovered between life and 
death at his quarters in the Hotel Touraine. A few days 
before his death he had seemed to rally, and his relatives 
and many friends began to hope that he might still recover, 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 619 

but a sharp relapse came, and they were pained and shocked 
to hear of his death on April 19, 1898. The entire com- 
munity suffered a great loss, for his genial disposition had 
won him a host of friends, and his reputation as one 
of the most successful leaders in his profession was wide- 
spread. It can be truly said that Maine has never produced 
a man of greater ability, especially as an advocate before 
a jury. 

As a political speaker, JMr. Strout was almost without 
a superior, his speeches being keen, logical, and convincing. 
In his early days he spoke in Harrison in behalf of Stephen 
A. Douglas as a presidential candidate, and men of all 
parties were ready to allow that his speeches were among 
the best that were heard in the vicinity, showing remarkable 
promise on the part of a young man. Most certainly 
that promise was fulfilled. Time went on, and the re- 
markable changes and mi.x-ups in the political world caused 
Mr. Strout to cast his fortunes with the Republican party, 
and one of his greatest efforts was delivered at Harrison, 
at the time when the Greenback party was at the height 
of its career, the speaker appearing as the advocate of the 
Republicans against the assaults of that party. He was 
very popular in Harrison and vicinity, having made hosts 
of friends in all parties when practicing law there at the 
outset of his career. A great audience was present, made 
up from all parties. Mr. Strout came before his hearers 
without any "flourish of trumpets," and spoke to his friends 
and former townsmen as "man to man." The speech was 
delivered in Mr. Strout's best style, and contained nothing 
to oft'end the bitterest partisan, being calm and candid, and 
remarkably free from anything offensive to those who had 
been his former political opponents. It was a logical pre- 
sentation of the issues of the day from the speaker's stand- 
point, made in such a way as to claim the closest attention 
of all, no matter whether they agreed with the speaker's 
conclusions, or not. The questions that were before the 



620 A HISTORY OF THE 

public were discussed in such a way as only a keen and 
witty lawyer could do it, and the whole speech was un- 
equalled as an effort to convince Democrats that it was 
their duty to cast aside all former questions that had 
divided the two "old parties," and to "join drives" with 
their old opponents in opposition to the new party that 
was asking for the suffrages of the people. If I mistake 
not, this was the last time that the famous lawyer appeared 
before a Harrison audience, and most certainly there was 
nothing transpired on the occasion to lessen the respect 
that Harrison people had always entertained for the great 
advocate, the foundation of whose career was laid in their 
town. Harrison feels proud of the fact that he was for 
a time one of its citizens, and closely identified with its 
interests. His success in after life, and the great fame 
which he won as a lawyer never caused him to forget his 
early friends in Harrison, and a resident of this town was 
always sure to receive a cordial greeting from him. 

Mr. Strout was a prominent Mason and Knight Temp- 
lar. He was survived by his wife, who was Miss Mary 
Sumner, and his son, Henry Francis Strout, who was born 
March 3, 1867. Mrs. Strout, who was the daughter of 
Samuel R. Sumner, of the famous Sumner family whose 
home was in Grand Rapids, survived her husband but a 
few years. 

The above sketch of Mr. Strout, excepting two par- 
agraphs, was written under the personal supervision of Mr. 
Walter Higgins of Washington, D. C, a relative of the 
subject and a close personal friend during his whole 
lifetime. (Editors.) 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 62 1 

STUART FAMILY. 

This family is represented in Harrison by four brothers, 
Joseph, Wentworth, Solomon and Josiah Alden Stuart, and 
by two sisters, Hannah and Achsah. They are descend- 
ed from DUNCAN STUART of Scotland, who settled 
in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, as early as 1656. 
A daughter was born to him there in 1658, and in 1659. 
he removed to Newbury where all his other children were 
born. In 1680, he settled in Rowley, Massachusetts, where 
he died August 30, 1717, about one hundred years old. 
His widow, Ann Stuart, died July 9, 1729, at Rowley. 
Duncan was a ship carpenter. He had si.x sons of whom 
but three left male children, James, Samuel and Ebenezer. 
Later generations spell the name Steward, Stewart, or Stu- 
art. Children of Duncan : Katherine, born June 8, 1658, 
in Ipswich. Martha, born April 4, 1659, in Newbury. 
Charles, born June 5, 1661 ; died May 8, 1689. Elizabeth, 
born November 2, 1662; married Sylvanus Wentworth. 
James, born October 8, 1664; died September 17, 1750. 
John, born March, 1664; died December 23, 1756. Han- 
nah, bom 1667; married 1685, Colin Eraser. Henry, born 
May I, 1669; died young. Samuel, born 1672. Ebenezer, 
born 1676; died April 30, 1749. 

Samuel, the sixth, great grandfather of the present gene- 
ration of Stuarts, was the ninth child of Duncan, the 
pioneer, from Scotland. He settled in Wells, Maine, about 
1700. He was a housewright and millwright by trade. 
He built the first parsonage in Wells in 1726, and it was 
still standing in 1875. He had seven children born in 
Wells: Samuel, Joseph, John, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Dorcas, 
Amos. Joseph 2d, son of Samuel and Dorcas, married in 
1729, Mary, daughter of Captain Samuel and Martha Went- 
worth Lord. Joseph and Mary settled in Berwick, where 
he died in 1734, aged twenty-seven years. He left two 
children, born in Berwick: Wentworth, born October 20, 
1731. Dorcas, born in 1733; died young. 



622 A HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Wentworth Stuart was the only son of Joseph 
and Mary Lord Stuart. His father died when he was not 
yet three years old, and he was brought up in the family 
of Captain Peter Grant of Berwick, who became his step- 
father by marriage. When of age, he went to Falmouth, 
where his "intentions of marriage" with Susanna Lombard 
of Gorham, were published January 19, 1753. They were 
married in Gorham, February 4, 1753. Susanna Lombard 
was born in Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, August 4, 
1734; daughter of Solomon and Sarah fPurington) Lom- 
bard. 

Captain Wentworth Stuart was very prominent in Gor- 
ham affairs. Town clerk, representative to the General 
Court in Boston and as a soldier in the French and Indian 
Wars. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he was com- 
missioned Captain. He died in the service, near Boston, 
April 17, 1776, of smallpox. His widow married second, 
March 4, 1779, William Wood of Gorham. The children 
of Captain and Susanna (Lombard) Stuart, all born in 
Gorham, were: Mary, born January 20, 1754; married 
July 13, 1770. John Green of Gorham. Susanna, born 
May 21, 1757: died January 4, 1758. Joseph, born April 
3, 1759. Solomon Lombard, born February 3, 1762; died 
in infancy. Sarah Purington, born June 28, 1764; mar- 
ried, 1781, Ebenezer Phinney of Gorham. Dorcas, born 
June 8, 1766; married August 6, 1787, Peletiah McDonald 
of Gorham. Susanna, born April I. 1768; married Jan- 
uary 4, 1786, Francis Brooks of North Yarmouth. Went- 
worth, born August 17, 1770; married November 4, 1790, 
Hannah Shaw of Standish. Solomon Lombard, born Feb- 
ruary 24, 1773 ; no further record. ,\nna, born Oc- 
tober 31, 1775; married November 17, 1791, Nathaniel 
Stevens, Jr., of Gorham. 

Joseph Stuart, oldest son of Wentworth and Susanna 
( Lombard ) Stuart, in the fifth generation from Duncan, 
the Scotchman and pioneer, of Ipswich, was born in Gor- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 623 

liani, Maine, April 3, 1759 ; married at Gorliam, Sep- 
tember 30, 1779. Hamiah Smalley ; was lost at sea from 
the schooner "Martha," off Cape Ann, February 15, 1802. 
His wife died July 17, 1819, aged sixty-one. Joseph 
Stuart served in the Revolution, and was a fifer in 
his father's company. Children of Joseph and Han- 
nah (Smalley) Stuart: Wentworth, born September 26, 
1790; married Mercy Hall. (See Hall family.) Ach- 
sah, born June 8, 1703; married Richard Fogg of Har- 
rison; she died — . Solomon, born April 22, 1796; 

married June 19, 1817. Mary Hall (See Hall family). 
Josiah Alden, born April 20, 1798: married April 24, 1825, 
Miriam Rich of Harrison, born 'Slay 20, 1800; died January 
20, 1879. 



The genealogy of the families of the four Stuart brothers 
who settled in Harrison are given as follows : 

JOSEPH STUART, born July i, 1780: married Nancy 
Lombard of Gorham. Their children : 

F.\NNY, b. Aug. 8, 1805 : married ]\Ierrill Skillings of 
Harrison, b. Sept. 28, 1803 ; their children were : 

1. Eliza Ann, b. Oct. 13, 1825; married William C. 

Hobbs. (See Hobbs family.) 

2. Harriet Emeline, b. Nov. 14, 1829; married Oliver 

Danforth Hancock of Otisfield, Oct. 8, 1855; he 
died Aug. 6. 1901 : their children are: Albion Mer- 
rill, b. Jan. 7, 1855. Harriet Henrietta, b. Oct. 
4, 1856: married Willis Abbott of Otisfield; they 
have one daughter, Sadie E., married Edward E. 
Jillson and lives in Portland. Mrs. Harriet H. Ab- 
bott married for 2d husband, Fred L. Knight of 
Otisfield. Orin, b. Apr. 11, 1863. Both sons are 
unmarried. 

3. Merrill Ambrose, b. Apr. 2, 1831 ; married — — -; 
they had two sons, Clarence and William ; both died 
young. 



624 A HISTORY OF THE 

4. Benjamin S., b. Aug. 26, 1833; married 1857, Mary, 

daughter of Clement and Chloe Scribner of Har- 
rison; children: Sumner, b. Feb. 12, 1858. Fanny, 
b. Mar. 24, 1861. Clara Eliza, b. Dec. 2, 1866. 

5. Sarah, b. Dec. 24. 1834 ; married Albion Whitman 

Weston of Otisfield ; he died — ; she died 

'Jan. 30, 1903. 

6. Martha Caroline, b. Aug. 14, 1835 ; married George 

B. Dorman of Harrison; they resided for years at 

Bolster's Mills, and moved to Auburn in , where 

he was engaged in the grocery business. Mrs. Dor- 
man died Feb. 28, 1907. Mr. Dorman survives her. 

7. Isaac Stuart, b. Dec. 19, 1847 ; married Alma, daugh- 

ter of Charles and Emily Edwards of Otisfield. 
She died Oct. 26, 1896. Their children : George 
Dorman, b. Oct. 4, 1880; married Ethel Irene Ken- 
dall of Gorham, N. H., b. June 22, 1885: children: 
Alma Arvesta, Stuart Kendall, Mary Winnifred, 
Leona Ethel. Charles Whitman, b. Feb. 24, 1871 ; 
married Edith May Polland of Harrison, b. in Peru, 
Me., Feb. 17, 1881 ; reside at Bolster's Mills. 

Merrill Skillings died March, 16, 1874. Fanny, his 
widow, died Nov. 8, 1875. 

.Samuel, eldest son of Joseph, b. Apr. 9. 1809 ; married 
Apr. 14, 1832, Hannah D., daughter of Isaac and Anna 
(Whitney) Hall of Harrison (See Hall family), and 
settled at Stuart's Corner, East Harrison, near Crooked 
River. He was a man of excellent character, trained 
to farming and other habits of industry, and was noted 
for his public spirit and his devotedness to the princi- 
ples of temperance and public morality. He was a cap- 
tain in the State militia and an honored member of 
Crooked River Lodge, F. & A. M. His death occurred 
Oct. 3, 1888. His wife died Dec. 24, 1868. Children 
of Capt. Samuel and Hannah D. Stuart: 
I. Albert H., b. Jan. 4, 1833; married Hannah Towne 
of Norway : lived many years in the "Yagger" 
neighborhood of that town, and died there Mar. 25, 
1897. He was for years a travelling dealer in tin- 
ware and other domestic merchandise. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 625 

2. AiigL'liiic, b. Mar. lO, 1835 ; married Cyrus Chap- 

lin of Naples. They reside at Welchville, Oxford. 
(See Chaplin family.) 

3. Wentworth, b. Mar. 31, 1837; married ist, Zilpha 
Caswell of Harrison ; 2d, Catherine Haskell of Har- 
rison ; settled in Oxford and died there Sept. 10, 
1900. He served in the Civil War in Co. H, 17th 
Me. Inf. 

4. Samuel Porterfield, b. Aug. 14, 1842; in his youth 

he was a talented musician, and in the early part 
of the Civil War, he enlisted as a musician in 
Capt. Almon A. Fogg's Co. H, of the 17th Regt. 
Me. \"ol. Inf., serving faithfully until he was pros- 
trated by a serious illness and sent to a military 
hospital in Washington. He was soon detailed to 
a clerical position in the Adjutant General's office 
of the War Department where, after securing his 
discharge from the military service, he was appointed 
to a clerkship. While there, he married Matilda, 
youngest daughter of Stephen and Lydia Water- 
house of Bolster's Mills, b. Sept. 16, 1842; they 
settled for a time in South Paris, afterward per- 
manently in Oxford. Here he was a successful 
farmer and was, in recognition of his fine clerical 
ability, employed for a number of years as book- 
keeper and paymaster of the Portland Packing Com- 
pany in their Mechanic Falls factory. He also 
served his town as selectman under successive elec- 
tions, until his death, which occurred on Apr. 12, 
1894. Mr. Stuart was of unblemished character, 
kind and gentle in deportment, an enthusiastic mu- 
sician and beloved by a wide circle of friends and 
townspeople. He was a charter member of Thomas 
A. Roberts Post, G. A. R., Department of Maine, 
at Oxford Village. Children of Samuel P. and 
Matilda W. Stuart: Gertrude, b. Mar. 4, 1868; mar- 
ried Frank Elden Harris of Mechanic Falls, Me. ; 
they reside in Medford, Mass. ; children : Irma Gc- 
trude. b. Mar. 20, 1904, in Medford, Mass. Stuart 
Farnham, b. Jan. 28, 1906, in Medford, Mass. Lulu 
Harriet, b. May. 2, 1873 : died Dec. 5. 1901 ; mar- 
ried Horace Arthur Holmes of East Machias ; they 
settled in Oxford : their children are : Bessie Stu- 



626 A HISTORY OF THE 

art, b. Aug. 2, 1895. Gladys Mae, b. Dec. 12, 1897. 
Alattie Arlene, b. Jan. 29, 1901. Maude, b. Mar. 
26, 1878; married Edward Spring Fuller of Oxford, 
Feb. 13, 1899; their children: Marion Stuart, b. 
Sept. 9, 1899. Harry Porter, b. Aug. 15, 1901. 
Marjorie, b. Feb. 13, 1905; died Jan. 18, 1906; they 
reside in East Oxford, Me. 

Joshua B., b. in Gorham, Me,, Mar. 14, 181 1; died in 
Deering, Mar. 11, 1897; he married Caroline, daughter 
of Asa Hicks of Norway, Me., b. in Greenwood, Me., 
Oct. 16, 1851, died in Norway, Feb. 8, 1853; they had 
eight children : 

1. Frances Ellen, b. in Norway, May 9, 1836; married 

George Robbins of Casco (Webb's ]\lills) ; they 
had eleven children ; no record of them. 

2. Abby M., b. in Otisfield, Nov. 2T, 1837; married 

Chas. Johnson in 1867; died in Deering, Dec. 12, 
1900. Their children were : Carrie E., b. in 1865. 
Charles F. Mildred and Martie. 

3. Talbot Gay, b. in Harrison, June 9, 1840 : died in 

Waterford, June 8, 1892; he served as a musician 
in Co. K, 5th Regt. Me. Inf., in the Civil War; had 
four children : Harry, Nellie, , Frank. 

4. Martha, b. in Harrison, Aug. 18, 1842 : married 

Converse Robinson of Richmond, Me. ; resides in 
Cambridge, Mass. 

5. Grinfill B., b. in Harrison, Dec. 30, 1845 ; married 

Kate Barker of Bethel, Oct. 10, 1868, b. Jan. i, 1846. 
They had a daughter, Olive M., b. July 8, 1876; 
died Apr. 24, 1904. 

6. Whitfield, twin of Grinfill, b. Dec. 30, 1845 ; married 
Clara Knight of Paris; children: Mabel. Blanch- 
ard. Madge, b. Mar. 4, 1877, in So. Paris. Charles, 
a dentist in Bethel. Ruth, b. Feb., 1900. 

7. Henry W., b. Feb. 17, 1848, in Harrison; married 

Mary Elizabeth Bennett of , Oct. 22, 1873 ; they 

reside in Portland. 

8. Lydia J., b. in Norway, Oct. 25, 1850; died at Nor- 
way, July 15, 1851. 

Abigail, b. May 3, 1813; died uimiarried, Nov. 20, 1833. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 627 

George W. B., b. Mar. 31, 1816; married Mary Ann Sar- 
gent of Otisfield, b. Jan. 2, 1824 ; children : 

1. Lafayette, b. in Otisfield, June 30, 1847; died in 
Jefferson, N. H., in 1861. 

2. Juliette, b. in Otisfield, Nov. 18, 1848 ; married H. H. 

Knoppe ; resides at Port Orange, Fla. 

3. William A., b. Apr. 25, 1851 ; died in Gorham, N. 

H., May 25, 1875. 

4. Flora A., b. June 9, 1853; married ist, Lorenzo D. 

Higgins of Bangor, Me., in 1872; children: Wal- 
ter B., b. Dec. — , 1892; married Arvilla D. Brooks 
of Gray, Me. Minola J., b. Oct. — , 1894: she 

died — . Flora Higgins married 2d, William 

B. Kendall of Bethel, Me., 1894. Children: Ethel 
Irene, b. June 22, 1885; married George D. Skil- 
lings, Jan. i, 1903. (See Stuart-Skillings family.) 

Winnifred M., b. , 1888; married Sept. 12, 

1902, Harry B. Snowman of Portland. Flora A. 
Kendall married 3d, in 1896, Frank Stearns of Wa- 
terford. Me. 

5. Joseph H., b. Sept. 30. 1855, in Bethel, Me. ; mar- 

ried Oct. 25, 1873, Mary E. Whitman of Paris, Me , 
b. Apr. 13, 1857; children: Herman H., b. Jan. 20, 
1880. William E., b. Aug. 26, 1881. Grace Mary, 
b. June 16, 1885. Leona DeAlbra, b. Feb. 16, 1889. 

Joseph H. Stuart lives at South Paris, Me. He is a civil 
engineer by profession, and a publisher of atlases, maps of 
States, counties and townships. 

6. Frederic G., b. Nov. 24, 1857, in Gilead, Me. ; re- 

sides at Seabreeze, Fla. 

Esther, b. Feb. 20, 1817; married Isaiah Bonney, Mar. 18, 
1838. Children: William. Emily. Mary Abby; mar- 
ried George Peaco of Otisfield. Nancy ; married Mer- 
rill Peaco of Otisfield. Henry ; married Fannie Hoyt 
of Bridgton ; lives in New Gloucester, Me. John ; is 
in the employment of a large ice corporation in Boston. 
Angeline ; married George W. Rounds of Bridgton. 

AcHSAH, b in Harrison, Feb. 20, 1819; married Mar. 14, 
1842, John Dolloff Burbank of Gorham, N. H., b. Jan. 25, 
1813; died Mar. 4, 1865. Their children : 



628 A HISTORY OF THE 

1. Helen M., b. Dec. 14, 1842; died Apr. 7, 1862; un- 
married. 

2. Annette, b. Apr. 24, 1845 ; married Winfield S. Pot- 
ter of Fryeburg, Me., Oct. 29, 1871 ; he died in Gor- 
ham, Feb. 26, 1900. Their children: Isabel A., b. 
Dec. 29, 1873; married George M. Watson of Gor- 
ham, N. H., Jan. i, 1895 ; they had one child, Harold 
Watson, b. Jan. 10, 1906; died in infancy. Jose- 
phine E., b. Aug. 13, 1876; married Fred P. Wat- 
son of Gorham, Jan. 2, 1898 ; they have one child, 
Carl Watson, b. Nov. 18, 1901. Perris W., b. Feb. 

22, 1884; married Alfred A. Swift of Gardiner, 
I\Ie. ; they have one child. Alberta W., b. in 
Gorham, July 14, 1908. Frank W.. b. Apr. 24, 1887; 
unmarried. 

3. Edwina C., b. Apr. 10, 1848 ; married Jan. 6, 1878, 
Walter G. Buckley of Auburn, Me. : they have one 
daughter, Abbie Ann, b. at South Paris, Me., Sept. 

23, 1878; unmarried. 

4. John C, b. Apr. 20. 1851, at Chatham, N. H. ; mar- 

ried Abba E., daughter of David and Mary (Guptill) 
Potter of Chatham, N. H., Nov. 6, 1874' She was 
born in Fryeburg, Me., Oct. 13, 1856: their children 
are: Amy May, b. in Gorham, N. H., Feb. 2, 1876; 
not married. George Lyman, b. July 30, 1877; died 
Sept. 5, 1877. Ada Annette, b. Nov. 13, 1880; 
died Feb. 8, 1881. 

5. Ann, b. in Gorham, Sept. 26, 1853 ; unmarried. 

6. Franklin P., b. July 25, 1855 ; married June 18, 1877, 

Ella, daughter of Jerrie H. and Lucetta (Swan) 
Winslow of South Paris, Me. ; he died in Gorham, 
N. H.. Nov. 20, 1906; they had one son, Frank W., 
b. in South Paris, Mar. 6, 1888 ; he was drowned 
in Lake Auburn, Me., June 21, 1906. 

7. Lillian, b. Aug. 9, 1856; married Wilton Juan Cole 

of Stark, N. H., b. Dec. 21, 1854; their" children : 
Alna Woodbury, b. in Stark, Nov. 24, 1886; mar- 
ried Daisy M. '(Lang) Cole of Milan. N. H., Apr. 
13, 1906, b. Jan. 15, 1886. IMarion Ruth, b. Jan. 10, 
1891 ; immarried. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 629 

John D. Burbank, the progenitor of the fore-mentioned 
family was a man of fine physical stature and of a digni- 
fied presence and address. He possessed considerable in- 
tellectual culture: a fitting life companion for his noble 
wife, who was much inclined to study and scholarship in 
her girlhood days, and was a superior teacher in Harrison 
before her marriage, always beloved and respected by her 
pupils. 

When the town of Gorham was incorporated in 1836, 
Mr. Burbank was chosen one of the selectmen, and was 
elected to that office for nineteen consecutive years, and 
was on the board the year of his death, 1865. He repre- 
sented his town in the Legislature several times. His wife 
was a great help to him in life, and was of an exemplary 
Christian character, devoted to the cheer and helpfulness 
of all around her. Their children inherited to a great de- 
gree, the character that distinguished their worthy parents. 

John C. Burbank, son of John D. and Achsah, is a mill- 
wright and machinist. Franklin P., was an architect and 
builder and erected a number of fine residences in Gorham, 
New Hampshire. South Paris and Portland. He was noted 
for his energy and resources of courage and forethought in 
cases of emergency. 

Emily Nutting, b. May 14, 1821 ; married William Chute 
of Naples. (See Chute family.) 

Francis M. ; was a soldier in the Civil War, and died in 
hospital at Fredericksburg, Va., Jan. 25, 1863. 

Calista B.. b. — ; married Samuel Pitts. (See 

Pitts family.) 

Amos, b. Mar. 19, 1830; married ist, June 22, 1856, Mercy 
Matilda Mason of Harrison, born in Albany, Me., June 
22, 1844; she died June 18, i860; they had one daugh- 
ter, Matilda Blanche, b. July 3, 1859; she married Sept. 
29, 1886. They have one daughter, Joyce Elizabeth, b. 
Aug. 3, 1890. Mr. Stuart married 2d, June 20, 1864, 
Caroline Augusta Wight of Naples, b. Feb. 8, 1842 ; she 



630 A HISTORY OF THE 

was killed in a train accident, Aug. i, 1904. leaving two 
children : U. S. Grant, b. Apr. 25, 1865 ; married June 
16, 1886; has one son, Nelson, b. July 15, 1903. Rena 
Martelle, b. Aug. 19, 1869; married July 6, 1907. 

L\-DiA G., b. Aug. I, 1827; married Sept. 19, 1849, Wil- 
liam Brigham of Bridgton ; he died Mar. 6, 1901. 

Jo.\NNA, b. Aug. 20, 1832; married Jan. i, 1855, Washing- 
ton Chaplin, 2d, of Naples: their chililren: Willis B., 
b. Apr. 9, i8s6. Joseph S., b. July i(), 1859. Margaret 
b. Oct. 16, 1862. Eleanor M., b. Mav 7, 1866. Daniel 
G., b. Dec. 8, 1868. Byron C., b. Oct. 20, 1874. 

HANNAH STUART, second child of Joseph, born 
March 5, 1782; married February 20, 1820, Jonathan Saun- 
ders of Norway, Maine. In the last j'ears of her widow- 
hood, she lived witii the family of her brother, Captain 
Wentworth Stuart of Bolster's Mills. She was very in- 
dustrious and did a great deal of spinning of woolen yarn 
for weaving and knitting. Everybody loved "Aunt" Han- 
nah Saunders. She died January i, 1864. 

SUSANNA STUART, second daughter of Joseph, Sr., 
born in Gorham, June 8, 1788 ; married Frances May- 
berry of Raymond, born Jainiary 9, 1786. Their children: 

C.\R0LiNE, b. May i, 1810. 

Solomon, b. July 4, 181 1. 

Eliz.\ M., b. A])r. 11, 1814: married Ezekiel Jordan of 
Casco. 

Francis C, b. Jan. 11, 1816. 

Martha C, b. Apr. 26, 1818. 

Joseph S., b. June 4, 1821. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 3, 1823. 

Benjamin B., b. ^Nlar. 16, 182 — . 



TOWN OF HARRISON. ^>^l 

Rebecca B., b. Mar. 19, 1828; married Samuel C. Syl- 
vester of Casco and lived in Lowell, Mass., till 1862 ; 
afterward in Casco till 1904, when they removed to 
Harrison and lived with their son. Dr. Charles B. Syl- 
vester, till the death of Mrs. Sylvester, Apr. 13, 1905. 
Samuel C. Sylvester died Feb. 4, 1908. Their children 
were: 

1. Wilfred, b. in Lowell, Mass., May 3, 185 1 ; mar- 
ried Mary Cameron Watson in 1875, in Lowell, 
Mass. He died in Rhode Island in 1890. Children : 
Malcolm C, b. in Casco, Mar. 19, 1877; graduated 
from Bowdoin College in 1890; was principal of 
high school in Marietta, Ga., and married in 1907, 
Marie Goodman of Marietta; they have one child, 
Anna Carolyn, born in 1908. Jessie M., b. in Casco, 
Feb. 22, 1879 ; lived in Harrison with her mother 
and uncle, Dr. C. B. Sylvester in 1895 and 1896; 
afterward in North Bridgton ; graduated from Bridg- 
ton Academy in 1900, and removed to Marietta, 
Ga., in 1903, where she is a teacher in a private 
school. Her mother, Mrs. Mary C. Sylvester, re- 
sides with her in Marietta. 

2. Minnie E., b. July 18, 1856; married David L. May- 
berry of Otisfield; died in 1894. 

3. Charles Bradford, b. Feb. 12, 1865 in Casco, Me. ; 
married ist. Flora Bell Bray of Harrison. (See 
Bray family) : 2d, Mary Florence Whitney, Aug. 18, 
1896. (See Whitney family.) 

Dr. Charles B. Sylvester has resided in Harrison nearly 
twenty years, where he is a popular and esteemed physi- 
cian. He takes much interest in civic affairs, and has 
serv'ed very acceptably on the school board as super- 
intendent of schools. He is much identified with the 
progress of medical science and is a member of the medical 
associations of Cumberland and Oxford Counties. He 
has been a contributor to various medical publications, and 
is a member of several fraternal organizations: Lakeside 
Grange, P. of H., Harrison ; Oriental Lodge, Oriental 
Chapter and Oriental Commandery of Masons, Bridgton; 
Oxford Council of Norway; Kora Temple Mystic Shrine, 
Lewiston. 



632 A HISTORY OF THE 

WENTWORTH STUART, third son of Joseph and 
Hannah (Smalley) Stuart was born in Gorham, September 
26, 1791. He came to Harrison about 1812, and married 
April 24, 1814, Mercy, daughter of Isaac and Anna (Whit- 
ney) Hall of Gorham, who came to Harrison about the same 
time. Wentworth settled on the farm in North Harrison, 
afterward owned many years by his brother, Josiah, which 
is still in possession of his grandson. After 1825, the resi- 
dence of Wentworth and family was at Bolster's Mills. 
He kept a tavern there for many years, and was engaged 
extensively in farming and shoe making. He was a Justice 
of the Peace, and his knowledge of public business caused 
him to become a leader in the civil and political affairs 
of the town to the close of his life. He was chosen suc- 
cessively on the board of selectmen five years, and served 
as town treasurer and superintending school committee, 
and was frequently appointed to act on committees for 
the hearing and settlement of private questions of conten- 
tion. He was postmaster at Bolster's Mills several years 
and was collector of taxes in 1838 and 1839, and in 1848. 
He had a very cheerful disposition, was ready-witted, keen 
at repartee, and delighted in telling or hearing a good 
story. He was universally respected and had a wide circle 
of friends. 

In politics, he was an unswerving Democrat of the old 
school type. As illustrating his ready wit, it is related 
that, once a young man rushed into his stable, almost out 
of breath, and exclaimed: "Captain Stuart, I want to get 
your horse and wagon to go to Otisfield, aint agoin' to be 
gone but a minute." Quick as a flash the Captain replied : 
"No, I can't possibly let you have them, no horse of mine 
is going to be driven there so quick as that." When the 
youth reconsidered his request and made in proper form, it 
was readily granted, for Captain Stuart was noted for his 
kindness and for being always an obliging neighbor. Cap- 



TOWN OF HARRISON". 633 

tain Stuart's religious proclivities were with the Free Bap- 
tist, in which order he loved to worship. Wentworth and 
Mercy (Hall) Stuart had six children: 

Moses H., b. Xov., 1816; died Aug. 31, 1840. 

Benjamin S., b. Aug. 28, 1818: died Sept. 20, 1820. 

Ch.\rles E.. b. Oct. 9. 1821 ; married Lydia, daughter of 
William and Nancy (Sampson) Twombly of Harrison. 
(See Twombly family.) 

M.MUA, b. June 5, 1824; married Francis Chute. Jr.. of 
Otisfield in 1843 : died June 9, 1863. Thev had one 
child : 
I. Mercy, b. Apr. 2-/, 1844: died Mar. 8, 1865. 

Charlotte, b. Apr. 11, 1828: married Thomas Grace of 
Casco, June 28, i860: died Dec. 30, 1901. They lived 
many years in Chelsea, Mass. Mr. Grace died May 29, 
1900. 

Laura Jaxe, b. July 16, 1835 ; married Henry Kilgore of 
W'aterford. Mar. 11, i860. They settled at Xorway 
Village. Their daughter, Lizzie H., married William 
Boynton of Norway, June 18, 1881. They have two 
children, Carl W., b. ^lay 11, 1885: and Fannie S., b. 
Feb. 12, 1888. Mrs. Kilgore died Nov. 29, 1907. 

Charles E. Stuart, third son of Wentworth and Mercy, 
was a farmer in his early life. He afterward became a 
cattle broker and in company with Newell A. Trafton, did 
a large business in Cumberland and Oxford Counties, col- 
lecting and driving cattle to Brighton market. That firm 
was for some years, a leading one in the cattle droving 
business in Elaine. He was afterward in trade, keeping 
a general store at Bolster's Mills in the building now the 
store of Ernest L. Gay, and location of the Maine Tele- 
phone Company Exchange. Later his son-in-law, Ernest 
L. Gay, became his partner and under the firm name of 
Stuart & Gay. the business was continued till he was too 
feeble to attend to it. For a long period while in his prime. 



634 A HISTORY OF THE 

he was a successful auctioneer, his services being in fre- 
quent demand. Mr. Stuart was many years prominent in 
town affairs, being collector of taxes in i860, and from 
1862 to 1868. In 1869, he was one of the selectmen, and 
later in life was very popular as moderator of the annual 
town meetings, being first elected to the office in 1882, and 
then for the eight following years. Ill health prevented 
his acting in 1892 and 1894, no other candidates being 
named when he was able to serve. This popularity in 
the position was well deserved, for he always conducted 
the business of the meetings in a business-like manner, 
never showing favoritism in his treatment of any one. He 
became a member of Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., at Bridg- 
ton in 1864, and was much in love with that order of brother- 
hood. He was a charter member of Crooked River Lodge 
at its institution in 1869, and was nearly always prominent 
as an officer of that Lodge, serving as Secretary and in 
other official positions. He was, from his youth upwards, 
a devoted and consistent temperance man and member of 
different organizations. He was a favorite speaker at the 
old time "rallies," always ready with his voice in support 
of the cause. His views on practical temperance were 
very radical, and he lived strictly according to his profes- 
sion, being a strict teetotaller. In politics, Mr. Stuart 
was by education an uncompromising Democrat, and he 
never swerved from the political faith of his ancestors until 
in the latter years of his life, he became satisfied that 
neither of the great parties was likely to act according to 
his pronounced views on temperance matters, and for that 
reason he saw fit to cast his fortunes with the Prohibition 
party. In 1886 and in 1894, that party honored him with 
its nomination for representative to the Legislature. But 
he never forgot his love for the Democratic party, and 
the writer well remembers the time when he last acted as 
moderator in 1894. Before taking the chair, he thanked 
his townsmen for the honor of their choice, telling them 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 6 



JO 



he thought they must have given it to him on account of 
his "unswerving democracy." 

Air. Stuart was a most genial, companionable man, was 
very witty, and had on hand an almost inexhaustible fund of 
anecdotes and stories ; always having something pertinent 
to the subject that might be the theme of conversation or 
debate. He was a kind and obliging neighbor and a good 
citizen, always wishing to help on the advancement of the 
public good to the extent of his ability. Charles E. and 
Lydia Stuart had one child, Leiia M., born October 13, 1865. 
She married September 7, 1897, Ernest L. Gay of Casco, 
born September 7, 1871, who moved to Bolster's Mills 
and took up his residence with her parents, and still re- 
sides with them. Air. Gay continues to carry on the busi- 
ness of a general store under the old name of "Stuart & 
Gay." He was president of the Bolster's Mills Telephone 
& Telegraph Company from its organization in 1901, to 
the time of its selling its interests to the Maine Telephone 
Company in 1907; but the exchange is still at the Gay 
store. 

ACHSAH STUART, seventh child of Joseph, Senior, 
married Richard Fogg of Harrison. They had three chil- 
dren : Benjamin Stuart, who settled in . Elvira, who 

married Lewis Edson of Harrison and Caroline, who mar- 
ried James Smith of Otisfield. 

SOLOMON STUART was born in Gorham, Maine, 
April 22. 1796 ; married Mary Hall of Gorham, June 19, 
1817. He died February 19, 1868. His widow died April 
27, 1880. Children : 

M..\RY Ann, b. Nov. 6, 1818: married John Lombard of 
Otisfield : no children. John Lombard died Aug. 24, 
1890. His wife predeceased him Sept. 27, 1865. 

Major P., b. Aug. 17. 1820: married Octavia Weston, b. 
Sept. 18, 1827, daughter of James and Sukey Weston of 



636 A HISTORY OF THE 

Harrison, May 24, 1850. Major 1". Stuart died Sept. 
26, 1903. Octavia (Weston) Stuart died July 30, 1906. 
They had children, all born in Harrison : 

1. Rebecca L., b. Oct. 5, 1852; married Lyman Shedd 

of Norway, June i, 1881 ; they have one daughter: 
Josephine, b. Aug. 28, 1882. 

2. Infant daughter, b. Oct. 9, 1853; died Oct. 15, 1853. 

3. James W., b. Apr. 24, 1856; married Claribel L. 

Horr of Waterford, Me., Dec. 25, 1879; one child, 
Gladys A., b. Oct. 6, 1888. 

4. Caro J., b. July 21, 1859; died Jan. 2, 1861. 

5. Dana M., b. Dec. 21, 1866 : married J. Florence Hicks 

of Winthrop, Mass., June 20, 1903. 

Isaac H., b. Apr. 22, 1822; married Elizabeth Hall of 
Chelsea, Mass. ; they had children : Robert Evans and 
Mary Ella, born in Chelsea. 

Hannah, b. Mar. 3, 1825 ; married ist, Sumner Hancock 
of Otisfield, May 24, 1850; they had a son. Sumner O., 

b. . She married 2d, Nathan Decker of Casco. 

Sumner O. Hancock resides in Casco, Me. He has a 
daughter. May Hancock. 

Joseph Phinney, b. Sept., 1829 ; died Apr., 1830. 

Wentworth, b. Nov. 18, 1831 ; died Oct. 5, 1831. 

Wyatt Turner, b. Nov. 18, 1835 ; married Lucy Andrews 
of Harrison. They had children : Solomon Lewis and 
Eva, deceased. Wyatt T. Stuart died Jan. 11, 1879. 

JOSIAH ALDEN STUART was born in Gorham, July 
7, 1798. He came to Harrison when four years old. He 
married Miriam Rich of Harrison (born May 20, 1800) ; 
married April 24, 1824. They had eleven children: 

Malvina M., b. Apr. 20, 1825. 

Benjamin R., b. Nov. 20, 1827 ; died Oct. 25, 1903. 

Clementine A., b. Nov. 22, 1829. 

John W., b. July 7, 1831 ; died in the war, May 6, 1863. 

Josiah a., b. Mar. 20, 1833; died in Montana, date un- 
known. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 637 

LucRETiA E., b. Oct. 16, 1835. 

Evelyn L, b. Nov. 5, 1837. 

Clara B., b. May 29, 1840; died in California, ISIar. 23, 
1899. 

AIartha M., b. Feb. 27, 1842 ; died Sept. 22, 1844. 

Moses H., b. Apr. 10, 1844. 

Charles D., b. July 24, 1846; died Oct. 22, 1900. 

Malviiia married Randolph Sturgis of Standish, Mar. 17, 
1850. After his death, she married John Anderson of Lim- 
ington, where she died July 24, 1891. She had five children. 

Benjamin married Ellen Haskell of Harrison, in 1871. 
He had one son, Samuel B., who lives on the ancestral 
farm. 

Clementine married October 15, 1854, E. E. Hayes of 
Oxford, and had one child, Martha Elizabeth. She after- 
ward married February 12, i860, Samuel Edgerly of Otis- 
field. Resided successively in Otisfield, Waterford, Harri- 
son, and West Paris, where he died in 1888. Martha E. 
Hayes married Samuel K. Wight of Otisfield, and settled 
in Harrison in 18 — . They had children: Virginia A., 
Katherine L. L., Samuel K., Howard M., and Ronello E. 
Samuel Edgerly had four children : Fred B., born in Water- 
ford, February 2"/, 1861. Etta A., born February 16, 1865 ; 
married James Thomes of Harrison. John C, born in 
Harrison, June 10, 1869. Hubert R., born February 24, 
1871. 

John W. and Josiah went to Iowa when young men. 
John was killed in battle in the Civil War. Josiah died 
in Montana, later. He was married and left two children ; 
no names given. 

Lucretia married April, 1858, Reuben Dunn of Poland, 
where they have always lived. They have one son, Seth C. 

Evelyn married November 5. 1858, Joseph Libby of Paris. 
Thev had three children : Annie L., Leo W., and Marv P. 



638 A HISTORY OF THE 

Clara married November 17, 1864, Payson Stanley of 
this town and went West, where they lived several years, 
finally removing to California, where she died. She had 
three children : Grace, Percy, and Curtis. 

Moses H. also went West ; married Cornelia Howe, and 
has five children : Charles, Miriam, Claude, Rex, and Lau- 
rence. 

Charles D. married Katie L. Brackett of Harrison. Has 
lived in Boston. They had two children : Elwin and Rosa- 
lie. (See Joseph L. Brackett in Brackett family.) 

Josiah A. Stuart died December 19, 1868 and his wife, 
Miriam Rich, January 20, 1879. 



TEBBETTS FAMILY. 

STEPHEN F. TEBBETTS was, with one exception, 
the oldest inhabitant that Harrison has ever had, and no 
one of our residents was ever better known than was this 
remarkable man during the forty-six 3'ears of his res- 
idence in this town. He came of a sturdy and long-lived 
race, and one with most marked characteristics, according 
to the accounts wdiich we get of his ancestors. Ridlon, 
in his "Saco Valley Settlements," says of those character- 
istics of the Tebbetts Family: "Conspicuous as a trait of 
character was precision : the exactitude w"ith which every- 
thing undertaken by them must be done. There was no 
'half way' or 'nine-tenths' known to them; finished meant 
perfection. Their ideals were clearly defined, and must be 
incarnated in materialized form. Good order, system, and 
tidiness were ever}"\vhere observable about their houses, 
farms, stores, and work-shops. They were cleanly of per- 
son : if their clothes had an honest patch on them it was 
a clean one. They were tender hearted and compassionate 
to the needy : thev would divide and sub-divide the last 




Stephen F. Tehketts 



TOWN OF HAKRISON. 639 

crust with the poor : they hated oppression and intrigue, 
and if contention was abroad their sympathies were al- 
ways with the "under dog in the fight.' High minded 
and outspoken constitutionally, they were never afraid 
to 'speak their mind'." 

Henry Tebbetts, shoemaker, his wife Eliza, and his three 
children, Remembrance, Jeremy, and Samuel, came from 
England and landed in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1635. 
Jeremy, Henry's oldest son, was the ancestor of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, the lineage being traced through Eph- 
raim and Aaron to Stephen, who married Alice Haines of 
Buxton, and settled in Scarborough. The)- had eight chil- 
dren: Thomas, Timothy, Ephraim, Jedediah, Aaron, Ste- 
phen, Ruth, and Patience. Stephen, the sixth son, married 
Mehitable, daughter of Elijah and Hannah (Furbush) Teb- 
betts, and settled in Scarborough, later removing to Saco. 
They had a family of ten children. 

STEPHEN F. TEBBETTS, son of Stephen and Me- 
hitable Tebbetts, was born in Saco, July 29, 1797, and ac- 
quired a fair education for those days, his father being 
a school teacher. His youthful days were passed in Saco 
and vicinity, and it appears that he early learned to work, 
and was inured to more or less hardship, as he used to 
tell how in his boyhood he had to chop wood barefoot 
when it was so cold that he would have a heated plank 
to stand on. Among the reminiscences of his youthful 
days, he also used to tell of the time when Saco and vi- 
cinity was threatened with a visit from the British Squad- 
ron in the War of 1812, quoting from a humorous poem 
of his own composition, of which the following was the 
first verse : 

"Saturday night, being all of good spunk. 
We set out from Saco to fetch Kennebunk : 
We all being ready, steered out in the street, 
Came to 'Smith's Eddy', and there joined the 'fleet.' " 



640 A HISTORY OF THE 

At that time Mr. Tebbetts was about sixteen years of 
age, so it is evident that his faculty for making poetry 
developed early and lasted through his lifetime, as the writer 
has a vivid recollection of hearing him sing an original 
song at the "Democratic Jubilee," at Harrison in 1884, 
on the occasion of the election of Grover Cleveland, he 
being over eighty-seven years of age. He was a musician 
as well as a poet, and was an expert with a snare drum, 
being in great demand at "general musters" and similar 
gatherings ; and on one occasion played at a muster not 
far from Portland with Edward Kendall, afterwards a 
w^orld-famous bugle player, accompanying him with the 
fife. It seems that he was quite well acquainted with Ken- 
dall, as he used to tell of the last time that he saw him, 
which was in Portland, and how he called out to him across 
the street : "Hello, Uncle Stephen ! Have you forgotten 
how to play the "double drag?' " 

Mr. Tebbetts married Lucy Baston of Denmark in 1S19, 
and settled in his wife's native town. His start in life was 
not a pleasant one, and involved a loss of what was a 
fortune to him at that time. He bought land, having what 
he supposed to be a good title, but later there came up a 
claim that it was "ministerial land," and that the title was 
worthless. He had built a set of buildings on the land, 
and, true to the Tebbetts characteristic, he fought for his 
home to the last, but was obliged at the end to submit to 
an unfavorable decision, involving the loss of both land and 
buildings after being to the expense of $1,500. The family 
then consisted of four children, and they were turned out 
into the world without a home, the parents feeling so dis- 
heartened and discouraged that they could hardly struggle 
for the subsistence of the little family. But Mr. Tebbetts 
was not a man to despair, and he resolved to start anew. 
He moved to North Bridgton where he lived for a whilt, 
and then went to Harrison, which he made his permanent 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 64I 

home, living for a time in the "Old Temple," and then in 
the house near the blacksmith shop, and which has recently 
been torn down. There he resided until some years after 
the decease of his wife. 

As far as occupation was concerned, he was a "Jack 
at all trades," but. instead of being "good at none," he 
was good at all of them, thus showing the prominence of 
another Tebbetts characteristic, that of perfection in what- 
ever was undertaken. He was a sailor, river-driver, cooper, 
shoemaker, basket maker, and gardener. His father was 
a seafaring man, and in his early days he made more than 
one voyage to the West Indies with him. But he probably 
worked at coopering more than at all other occupations, as 
it is said of him that "for fifty-three years he made hogs- 
heads, tierces, barrels, etc., and they were the best that 
were made in the vicinity." Of course the hogsheads and 
tierces left his hands in the shape of "shook," the making 
of which was for many years one of Harrison's chief in- 
dustries. During his residence at Harrison, he also worked 
in Portland some time making shook for John B. Brown 
& Sons, the proprietors of the old "Sugar House," and 
these shook were largely sent to the West Indies. 

During his forty-six years' residence in Harrison, Stephen 
Tebbetts was one of its most industrious citizens as long 
as his health permitted him to work, and for many years 
he made shook in the old cooper shop which stood very 
near where the drug store now is. In his house near the 
blacksmith shop "Uncle Stephen," as everybody called him, 
carried on shoemaking for many years after he was a very 
old man, and made baskets after he was ninety. He was 
an old time shoemaker, able to make a perfect boot or 
shoe from the leather, and to turn out a product that 
could not be excelled. As a basket maker he was "equalled 
by few, excelled by none." There are in existence today, 
baskets that he made after he was ninety years of age, 
and no Indian expert could make better ones, or better 



642 A HISTORY OF THE 

looking ones, than they were when new. Later in life 
he did quite an amount of work in the vegetable garden, 
and, as in all other kinds of work, he excelled in this. 
Like the hero of Longfellow's poem, his motto in all things 
was, "Excelsior." 

Politically the old gentleman was always a thorough- 
going Democrat, but said : "All the same I'm none of 
your pesky politicians no more'n I'm a political turncoat." 
In reply to the question of a reporter : "To what do you 
ascribe your long life and perfect health," he replied : "To 
the inheritance of a robust constitution, a regular life with 
freedom from bad habits, a cheerful mind ; and to having 
voted the Democratic ticket ever since I was of age." His 
first vote for Governor was cast in 181 8, two years before 
Maine became an independent State. He said that he voted 
at every State and Presidential election after he became 
twenty-one years of age, and always voted the straight 
Democratic ticket without scratch or blemish. During the 
last few years of his life the leaders on both sides would 
exert themselves to give Uncle Stephen the chance to cast 
the first vote, and he never to the very last had to be as- 
sisted in casting his ballot, even after the adoption of the 
"Australian Ballot" system of voting. 

He was a remarkably healthy and robust man, having 
inherited the strong constitutions of his ancestors, and was 
a hard worker up to within a very short time of his death. 
Up to the time of his last sickness, which was a short one, 
he had never been under the care of a doctor but once, 
which was when he had a fever in his youth. He was cer- 
tainly a most remarkable man; born two years before 
the death of George Washington, living under the admin- 
istrations of twenty-four Presidents, voting at twenty Presi- 
dential elections — his first vote having been for Monroe 
at his second election, and his last for Bryan at his second 
non-election — he had seen the United States increase from 
a country with four hundred and eighty post offices to 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 643 

one with over seventy thousand, from a country with only 
five million inhabitants to one with over seventy-five mil- 
lion, an increase of over fifteen hundred per cent. When 
he was born the first cast iron plow had just been intro- 
duced, and was being regarded with great disfavor because 
it was claimed that the iron would poison the soil and spoil 
the crop. Now the wooden plows, which were then uni- 
versally used, are only a memory, and can only be found in 
museums where they are looked upon as wonderful relics 
of a by-gone age. 

"Uncle Stephen" was a most jovial, companionable man, 
true to the characteristics of the Tebbetts's as set forth 
by Ridlon : "They were good story-tellers, had good stories 
to tell, were artful word-painters, and reveled in irony. 
They possessed an inexhaustible fund of humor that was 
irresistible when in full swing. They feasted on a plate 
of sharp jokes, and would laugh until the flood gates of 
their tears became unfastened." Another writer has said 
of "Uncle Stephen" when he was nearly ninety-nine: "His 
mind is clear and active, and in conversation he is very en- 
tertaining, for he is jolly and abounding in original jokes 
and pithy sayings. Indeed, a half hour's talk with him at 
any time is a specific for a bad case of blues." To this 
the writer can heartily say amen, for there was no better 
intellectual treat for him than to have a chance to converse 
with "Uncle Stephen ;" to listen to that outspoken, whole- 
souled laugh : and to look upon the jolly, kindly face of the 
old gentleman when in animated conversation. His daugh- 
ter, with whom he spent his last years, says that during the 
five years that he was a member of her family, she never 
heard him utter a word of complaint of any kind. 

His wife died on August 13, 1889, at the age of eighty- 
seven, after which the old gentleman's daughter, Mrs. 
Olive Whitney, kept house for him some years, but during 
the last few years of his life he made his home with his 
daughter, Mrs. A. P. Ricker. During the summer pre- 



644 A HISTORY OF THE 

ceding his death he made a trip to Lynn, Massachusetts, 
to visit his daughter, Mrs. NeOie Gammon, and he stood 
the journey without a drawback, although it was made 
during a heated period when many younger people were 
prostrated. On the next day after his return from his 
trip he felt so well that he walked down into the Village 
twice. The indirect cause of his death was a fall several 
weeks before, from the effects of which he never recovered. 
He died on March ii, 1897, at the age of ninety-nine years, 
seven months, and twelve days. 

He had a family of thirteen children, six only of whom 
outlived him. The children of Stephen F. and Lucy (Bas- 
ton) Tebbetts were as follows: 

Marshall, lived in Harrison for many years, enlisting from 
this town in the 23rd Regt., and was discharged for dis- 
ability. Later he moved to Sabattus, where he died 
some years ago, leaving a family. 

Lucy, died young. 

Stephen, died young. 

Lucy Ann, married George McLucas, lived in Hiram, 
where she died some years ago, leaving a family. 

Olive, married a Green, by whom she had one son, Henry; 
secondly, she married Eleazer Whitney of Harrison, by 
whom she had one son. Freeman E. Her husband died 
many years ago, and she is now living a widow near the 
Village. 

Mary H., died unmarried when a young woman. 

John B., was in California for a time in his early life; 
returned to Harrison, married Lizzie, daughter of Joseph 
Fogg, and lives on the Waterford road a short distance 
from the \"illage. Has one son, Walter W., living at 
home. 

Mial, lived in Harrison for a time, then moved to Denmark, 
where he now lives, having a family. 

Albert, died young. 

Henry, died young. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 64S 

Ellen F., married a Gammon, and lives in Lynn, Alass. 

Fannie T., married Alvin P. Ricker of Harrison, and lives 
at the Milage. Has two daughters, Josephine P., and 
Jessie I., both of whom are living at home. 

Charles F., died of diphtheria in Windham, Me., when 
a young man. 

During his whole lifetime Stephen Tebbetts was the same 
bright, humorous, quick-witted man that I have endeavored 
to describe, the very incarnation of fun and good humor, 
the life of the community in which he resided, and a gen- 
eral favorite with old and young. Many are the anecdotes 
extant showing these characteristics. His fund of humor, 
repartee, and sharp jokes seemed to be inexhaustible, and 
it was very seldom that any one had the good fortune 
"to get ahead" of him in a contest of quick wit. 

A certain resident of the town had the misfortune to 
have a very unprepossessing face, but he was an exceed- 
ingly careful and particular man, especially in regard to 
the tools that he worked with. One day when he was work- 
ing on the streets at the \'illage, rain came on to such an 
extent that the crew quit work before noon. This man 
stepped into Uncle Stephen's shop with his shovel, which 
he was carefully wiping. Said he: "Mr. Tebbetts, I would 
like to leave my shovel here till afternoon so that it will 
be in a dry place. I pride myself on keeping it nice and 
bright. I can see my face in it any time." "Is that so," 
replied Uncle Stephen ; "Then I don't blame you for 
wanting to leave it. For God's sake put it down just as 
quick as possible." 

On another occasion there was a certain poor man carry- 
ing on a small business at the Village. He got into debt, 
and the claim was put into the hands of Lawyer Strout 
for collection. The larger part of the people seemed to 
sympathize with the man, and, in order to put him out 
of the reach of the lawyer, and to give him a chance to 



646 A HISTORY OF THE 

save the little property that he had, they assisted him to 
leave town "between two days," with his family and pos- 
sessions. Mr. Tebbetts was one of the leaders in what 
was done, and, being an expert cooper, had been a very 
handy man in assisting in boxing the goods. The lawyer 
did not know what had happened till his would-be victim 
was beyond his reach, and was very angry at what had 
been done. He learned of Mr. Tebbett's activity in the 
matter, and before he had taken time to "cool off," sought 
the cooper shop, and began to berate the owner for the 
part that he had taken, ending with the assertion: "It 
seems that you sympathized with that miserable scoundrel 
enough to help him get away in the night so as to escape 
paying his just debts." "Sympathize with him," returned 
the old gentleman ; "Why that's nothing. Why, Strout, 
I'd do as much for you any time." 

This same quick wit, and keen sense of the humorous 
was inherited by the children, and numerous anecdotes are 
related of them, especially of Marshall and Mial. The 
former was possessed of a true "Tebbetts nose," and was 
in no wise ashamed of it. On one occasion, when only 
a boy, he was driving the horse that was "towing" a canal 
boat on the old Cumberland and Oxford Canal, near South 
Windham. It chanced that one of the residents of that 
village had a nose which was simply "immense," and eclipsed 
Marshall's as the sun would eclipse the moon. Marshall 
spied Hanson on the tow-path coming towards him, and 
as he caught sight of that nose it did not take him long 
to grasp the humor of the situation. As they neared 
each other he went as far as possible to one side, and turned 
his nose away with his hand. "There, Mr. Hanson," said 
he, "I guess you can get by if you are careful." Of course 
the men on the boat were convulsed, but Hanson was 
so mad that he swore that he would lick the boy if he 
could catch him. But he was too nimble for the old gen- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 647 

tleman, and used to tell the story with much gusto in after 
days. 

Mial Tebbetts was also blessed with a genuine "Tebbetts 
nose," and like his older brothers was not at all ashamed 
of it. He stammered slightly at times, but like his father 
he was quick witted, and was seldom beaten in joking. 
At one time when a young man he was working for Daniel 
Mayberry, a former prominent resident of Harrison, who 
took great delight in joking with him. One day there was 
company at dinner, and Mayberry thought that he would 
have a little fun with Mial for their entertainment. All 
sat at the same table, and during the progress of the dinner 
Mayberry was seen to be gazing intently upon his would- 
be victim. Soon he observed to him : "Mial, did you know 
that there was a place on the end of your nose that you 
have not washed?" Quick as a flash Mial replied: "May- 
berry, I think it's t-too bad to twit me about what I c-can't 
help. I w-washed out as f-far as I could reach." Of 
course there was a roar of laughter, and none laughed 
louder than Mayberry. 

On another occasion Mial was hauling a lot of hoop poles 
from South Harrison, and the man who cut them was 
helping him load them. They were badly cut and verj' 
uneven in length. The owner of the land came along, 
and stopped to chat with Mial who was an old acquaint- 
ance, as was also the man who cut the poles, whom we will 
call Joe. In the course of the talk Mial observed : "Did 
you know that Joe was an awful good man to cut hoop 
poles?" The man replied that he did not know that he 
was any better than the average. "Yes he is," replied 
Mial, "He always cuts them all of a length, just like 
these. They are all the way from n - nine to t - twenty-seven 
feet." 

Timothy Tebbetts, a younger brother to Stephen, who 
was the only one of the family that survived the old gen- 



648 A HISTORY OF THE 

tleman, was for a long time a resident of Rangeley, leadins^ 
man, and for many years was one of the Selectmen of 
the town. Several of his descendants are now to be found 
among the business men. 



THOMES FAMILY. 

McLellan, in his "History of Gorham," tells us that 
Thomas Thomes was an inhabitant of Falmouth Neck, as 
early as 1716, but there seems to be no record of his an- 
cestors, though the supposition is that they came from 
England, and were members of the old Plymouth Colony 
in Massachusetts. This Thomas Thomes built and lived 
in a house in Clay Cove. He and his wife, Elizabeth, united 
with Parson Smith's church in 1738. In 1721, Mr. Thomes 
received a grant of land on the Neck, which his son Thomas 
sold in 1765, to John Thomes of Falmouth. Thomas and 
Elizabeth Thomes had three sons, Joseph, John, and Thom- 
as, all married, and each one's wife was named Mary, 
but there is no known record of the dates of their births 
or marriages. 

THOMAS THOMES, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, 

married Mary , and lived in Falmouth for more 

than twenty years, joining the church there in 1743. They 
moved to Gorham about 1763, and took up and cleared 
land on "Fort Hill" road. In clearing the land they found 
a large apple tree, and it is stated that it was without doubt 
the first one in the town of Gorham. This tree must have 
been of immense size, and it is told on what is considered 
to be good authority that one year seventeen barrels of 
cider were made from the apples that were gathered from 
it; and after the tree began to decay there was a hollow 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 649 

in its trunk sufficiently large to contain a good sized per- 
son, and on more than one occasion served to do so as 
a shelter from a storm. Mr. Thomes died in Gorham, De- 
cember 16, 1790; his wife died there, December 13, 1796. 
It appears that all of their children were born in Falmouth. 
There is no perfect record, but as far as known it is as 
follows: 

Betty, baptized in Falmouth in 1743. 

George, b. 1745; married Lydia Brown, April 6, 1780. 

S.'^MUEL, b. 1747; married Sarah Lombard, Dec. 23, 1779. 

Charles, b. 1750; married Anna Gray, Sept. i, 1782. 

Amos. b. 1755; married Alehitable Burncll, Dec. 20, 1781, 
and moved to Pearsontown, afterward Standish. 

Comfort, b. ; married Andrew Gates, Oct. 6, 1785. 

Susanna, b. ; married James Gray, Jan. 2, 1791. 

GEORGE THOMES, son of Thomas and Mary Thomes, 

went from Falmouth to Gorham with his parents, and lived 

at West Gorham. He married Lydia Brown of Windham. 

Their children were as follows : 

Betty, b. March i, 1781 ; married Joseph Brown, Nov. 5, 
1801. 

Ezra, b. May 18, 1782; moved to Harrison, where he lived 
with his brother-in-law, Joseph Plaisted. He was one 
of the Selectmen in 1807-8; died unmarried in Harri- 
son, June 16, 1818. 

Mary, b. Dec. 20, 1783: married Jacob Emerson of Har- 
rison, and lived in that town, first near the residence of 
the Lakin brothers, and then on the farm where Fred 
Russell now lives, which was the permanent home of 
the Emersons. Her husband was one of Harrison's 
pioneers, and was for many years one of its prominent 
men. He was known as "Major Emerson" from hav- 
ing been commissioned as a Major in the old militia 
about 1830, and was for many years one of Harrison's 
town officers. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson had a family of 
eleven children, as follows: Mary, b. May i, 1806, mar- 



650 A HISTORY OF THE 

ried Sewall Berry of Saco, and lived and died in that 
city; George, b. Sept. 17, 1807, lived at home unmarried, 
and died Feb. 8, 1890; Amos, b. May 5, 1809, was 
drowned in Carmel, Me., in 1835; Lydia, b. Dec. 21, 
1810, died June i, 1826; Robert, b. Nov. 5, 1812. went 
to sea and was never heard from: Nancy, b. Oct. 16, 
1816, lived at home unmarried, and died Feb. 15, 1877; 
William, b. Feb. 17, 1819, was a blacksmith, and died 
in Portland, Oct. 8, 1844; Silas, b. April 24, 1821, went 
to California, in 1841, and died there many years ago; 
Carlos, b. Nov. 10, 1823, married Clarissa Harlow of 
Paris, went to Illinois, and later to California, where he 
died several years ago; Lovina, b. May 4, 1825, married 
Elias Hanscom of Biddeford, and died in Harrison some 
years ago. Mrs. Emerson died Sept. 30, 1859; her hus- 
band on Aug. 7, 1865. 

William, b. Feb. 13, 1787 ; married, first, Sally Plaisted, 
Mar. 18, 1817, and secondly, her sister Hannah Plais- 
ted, Mar. 17, 1854. Mr. Thomes went to Harrison in 
his early days, and started to clear a farm in the southern 
part of the town, but sold out his claim to his brother, 
Amos, and returned to Gorham, where he lived on the 
home farm of his father. He had two daughters, Mi- 
randa, and Octavia, both children of the first wife. He 
died in Gorham. Sept. 3, 1861. 

Amos, b. Oct. 30, 1788; married Abigail Higgins of Stand- 
ish. Mar. 29, 1810, and lived in Harrison. 

Eunice, b. Dec. 20, 1790 : married Joseph Plaisted, Dec. 
5, 1820, and moved to Harrison, living on "Plaisted Hill," 
on the farm where Frank Chaplin now lives. They 
had three children ; Harriet C, b. Oct. 12, 1823, mar- 
ried Jonathan Fogg of Harrison, and died in Bridgton : 
Eliza, b. Oct. 22, 1825, married Edward Hall of Naples, 
and is living in that town; Sumner S., b. Mar. 10, 1831, 
lived in Boston many years, and was found dead by 
the side of the road somewhere in Maine several years 
ago. 

hYDiA, b. Nov. 22, 1795 ; married Jeremiah Staples of Bux- 
ton, Sept. 24, 1 82 1. 

Nancy, b. June 3, 1799; married Zebulon Johnson in 1821 ; 
lived in Harrison, in that part known as South Harri- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 65 1 

son, the house where they hved having been uninhabited 
several years. They had a family of eight children : 
Mary, b. June 28, 1822, died in infancy: Robert, b. 
July 17, 1823, lived for many years in Boston, where he 
was for a time Superintendent of So. Boston Horse Rail- 
road and an influential man in politics ; Lydia E., b. 
Sept. 25, 1825, was a cripple and lived at home, dying 
Mar. 12, 1888; Cyrus C, b. Mar. 13, 1828, married Al- 
mira Sylvester of Bridgton, lived in Harrison till 1885, 
farming, dealing in stock, and marketing, then moving 
to Bridgton where he died Jan. 12, 1897: Francis M., b. 
Feb. 15, 1830, married Helen Clark, and lives in Lincoln, 
Me., his wife having died several years ago; Mary E., 
b. July 24, 1832, died in infancy ; William R., b. June 24, 
1834, married Frances Edwards, lived in Boston for a 
time, then returned to Harrison where he died Oct. 31, 
1877; John M., b. May 21, 1837, was in business in 
Boston many years, being in company with his brother 
Robert, tlien sold out and moved to Bridgton, where he 
now resides, living a retired life on the place where his 
brother Cyrus formerly lived. 

CHARLES THOMES, son of Thomas and ]\rary 
Thomes, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and when 
he returned to his home he travelled on foot from Peekskill, 
New York, to Gorham, Maine, making the journey in nine 
and a half days. He married Anna Gray, and lived on Fort 
Hill in Gorham, Maine, where he died November 25, 1833, 
and his wife on July 14, 1824. They had nine children, 
as follows : 

Comfort, b. April 19, 1765 ; died unmarried Feb. 7, 1857. 

James, b. Nov. 27, 1786 ; married Abigail Libby of Gor- 
ham, Feb. 28, 1819 : lived in Harrison, and had chil- 
dren, of whom hereafter. 

Susanna, b. July 3, 1788: married Stuart Green, Feb. 28, 
1819; died in Hiram. 

Mary, b. Dec. 16, 1789 : married Joshua Roberts, April 
15, 1810. 

Job, b. May 19, 1791 ; served in the War of 1812, and died 
unmarried, Dec. 7, 1843. 



652 A HISTORY OF THE 

Hannah, b. Oct. 12, 1793; died unmarried. 

Martha B., b. June 17, 1795 ; married Cyrus Hamlin, 
April 29, 1846. 

Stephen H., b. April 13, 1797; married Abigail Twombly, 
Mar. 24, 1833 ; and secondly, Ann Berry. 

Joseph C, b. Aug. 26, 1800 : married Catherine Bacon, 
Nov. 15, 1829; died May 22, 1859. 

AMOS THOMES, son of George and Lydia (Brown) 
Thomes, was born in Gorham, Oct. 30, 1788, and married 
Abigail Higgins of Standish, May 29, 1810. There is no 
certain record of the date of his settlement in Harrison, 
but it is supposed that it was immediately after his mar- 
riage in 1810. The list of polls in 1805, found in another 
part of this book shows that he was not a resident at that 
time. 

He settled in the south part of the town on a farm that 
his brother, William Thomes, had begun to clear up. It 
adjoined the farm where Stevens Ingalls had resided for 
several years, was long known as the "Col. Thomes Farm," 
and has for some dozen years been the residence of J. 
Howard Randall. Early in life he built the substantial two- 
story farm house that was so long his residence, and later 
was built the one-story house which was the home of his 
son, Marshall. This put the houses in the condition that they 
are now in, excepting repairs and improvements which have 
been made by the present occupant. Mr. Thomes was an 
independent and forehanded farmer, and for a long series 
of years carried on the most extensive farming operations 
in the town, being the owner of a large tract of excellent 
farm land, as well as much valuable timber land. 

Although his farm operations were on a scale which 
would be very large, even in these days, they were at a 
time when farm machinery was unknown, and when every- 
thing had to be done by "manual labor," or work with the 
hands. Instead of the grass being mowed with a machine, 




Col. Amos THOMts 




-Mks. Abigail (Higgins) Thumbs 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 653 

with the driver riding across the field behind a pair of 
horses, it was done by men with tlie old fashioned hand 
scythes, and a scene that I have many times heard described 
was the mowing in Col. Thomes's fields. In those days 
men did not wait for the dew to dry off, but had to start in 
bright and early when the grass was heavy with the wet. 
A dozen or more men could be seen slowly marching across 
the field of grass, steadily swinging their scythes, keeping 
time as if keeping step to music — except occasionally when 
there would be a frolic caused by some one trying to drive 
his next neighbor "out of his swath" — and this would be 
kept up for hours. The raking was all done by hand, 
and with the small hand rakes, not even a "drag-rake" 
being known when Col. Thomes was in his prime. Let the 
farmer of the present time imagine the job of raking a large 
field of heavy grass with the common hand rakes. The 
plowing was all done with oxen, and it was not an unusual 
sight to see four, six, or even eight heavy oxen drawing 
a big "breaking-up" plow for days in succession, an acre 
per day being considered a good day's work for a plowing 
team. All farm operations were on a scale that would be 
considered very primitive by the progressive farmers of 
today, but they were on the largest scale of anything in 
Harrison, and a small army of men was employed, especially 
in harvesting times, and the crops that he would gather in 
were worth a small fortune in those days. His operations 
had gradually been extended, and the buildings had been 
added to and enlarged until there were two large barns 
for the hay and cattle, a good sized stable for the horses, 
and extensive outbuildings, containing the corn chambers, 
the hog-pens, and work-shops, all standing across the road 
from the houses, and giving positive proof of the extensive 
operations of a thrifty farmer. The whole farm plant on 
that side of the road was burned on August i8, 1883, and 
made what was the largest conflagration ever seen in town 
up to that time, calling a great crowd from far and near. 



654 A HISTORY OF THE 

this being after the Thomes's had sold out, and the farm 
was in the hands of Jas. H. Hamilton. 

During the whole of his long and active life in Harrison, 
Amos Thomes was one of its leading men, being chosen as 
a delegate to the convention in Portland in 1819, for fram- 
ing the Constitution of the coming State of Maine ; was 
chosen on the Board of Selectmen as early as 1813, and 
serving seventeen years in that capacity, his last term being 
in 1841 ; was Moderator at nine annual town meetings, and 
served on the Superintending School Committee one year. 
In 1835, he served in the State Legislature, having been 
elected from the classed towns of Harrison and Otisfield 
as a Whig, over Deacon Charles Walker, Democrat. 

In the days of the militia, of "trainings," and of "general 
musters," he was commissioned as Colonel of the militia, 
thus receiving the title which stuck to him as long as he 
lived. Ever after that he was known to all as "Colonel" 
Thomes, comparatively few knowing him by any other name. 
At that time no man in town was more extensively known 
than he. The "Colonel" was an upright and honorable 
man, and one that was greatly respected by his townsmen, 
though some gave him the reputation of being rather a 
"hard" man. Somewhat stern in his manners, he was 
looked upon with fear by some of his neighbors and work- 
men until they succeeded in penetrating through the cold 
exterior to the tender heart that beat beneath. One of his 
neighbors used to relate an incident that showed the nature 
of the real Colonel Thomes, as he was to those who used 
him well, and always dealt squarely. 

This man, in common with others, thought, as the "Co- 
lonel" was so stern and unyielding in appearance, that he 
would not willingly grant favors to common men. One 
day he received a sudden summons to the bedside of a 
favorite brother who had met with a terrible accident in 
a saw mill some fifteen miles away. He did not at that 
time own a team, and made all haste to hire one of some 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 655 

more fortunate neighbor. He went to one after another, 
but it happened that all had some use for their teams which 
was regarded as of more importance than to assist this 
man to reach the bedside of a dying brother, one man even 
making the excuse that his son had got to go to a dance 
that night. He returned home disheartened and discour- 
aged, having tried all but Colonel Thomes, who had several 
good horses. After reaching home and thinking over the 
matter a short time, he told his wife that, as a last resort, 
he "was going to try Colonel Thomes." He found the ol<l 
gentleman near his house in company with his eldest son, 
and at once made known his want, briefly telling of the 
terrible news that he had received, and of his ill luck in 
getting a team. The old gentleman did not even wait for 
him to finish before he turned to his son and said: "Mar- 
shall, you go and harness that horse, and you be quick about 
it, too." The team was at once forthcoming, and the 
neighbor reached the bedside of his brother before he passed 
away. On his return with the team he asked for the bill, 
and was greatly surprised when the owner replied : "There 
is no bill ; you are entirely welcome to the use of the team." 
That man had an entirely different opinion of Colonel 
Thomes ever after that time, never having occasion to 
change it in the least. 

For many years before his death the old gentleman did 
but little manual labor, but he never lost his interest in 
the farming operations, nor his anxiety that all should 
be carried through successfully. He was much inclined 
to worry lest something should happen to injure the crops, 
especially while they were being harvested. When wet 
weather threatened in the haying season it is said that he 
could not sleep, and would sometimes get so anxious that 
he would arise in the middle of the night and walk up and 
down the road for a long time, "watching the weather." 

Amos Thomes died at his home in Harrison on March 21, 
1870. His widow survived him several years, accompany- 



656 A HISTORY OF THE 

ing her son Samuel to Bridgton, where she died on August 
24, 1885, at the age of ninety-three years. She was another 
of the remarkable pioneer women of Harrison who lived 
to a great age, and retained all of their mental faculties 
to the last. Mr. and Mrs. Thomes had a family of six 
children, as follows : 

Ezra, b. May 16, 181 1 ; died Sept. 9, 1833. 

Marshall, b. Feb. 16, 1813; married Rachel B. Haskell 
of Harrison, who died June i, 1840, aged 25. Secondly, 
he married Dorcas Paine of Standish. He died March 
28, 1897. 

L\T3L\ B., b. July 9, 1816; died July 20, 1846, unmarried. 

A. Mellen^ b. Jan. 16, 1821 ; died July 20, 1907, unmarried. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 20, 1S22 ; married Rosilla Cook of Casco ; 
died in Bridgton, ■ 1883. 

Elmika, b. Dec. i, 1828; died April 4, 1840. 

MARSHALL THOMES, second son of Amos and Abi- 
gail (Higgins) Thomes, married Rachel B. Haskell of 
Harrison, and settled on the old homestead. His wife died 
June I, 1840, leaving one daughter: 

Abbie M., b. Sept. 13, 1839; married Henry H. Pulsifer 
of Wayne, Me., where they have made their home until 
very recently. They have lately moved to Harrison, 
where they are living at the Village on the place made 
vacant by recent death of her sister and uncle. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pulsifer have had two daughters, both of whom are 
dead. 

For second wife, Marshall Thomes married Dorcas Paine, 
daughter of Myrick Paine of Standish, still living on the 
home farm, being in company with his brother Samuel, 
under the firm name of M. & S. Thomes, till 1874, when 
he sold his interest in the farm to his brother, and moved 
to Harrison Village, buying the Joseph Fogg stand, which 
he enlarged and improved to quite an extent. Here he 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 657 

continued to live, carrying on a limited amount of farming 
and gardening on land that he owned just outside of the 
Village, until his death which occurred March 28, 1897, 
Mrs. Thomes having died on May 14, 1882, at the age of 
seventy-one years, five days. Mr. Thomes was a hard work- 
ing man while he was on the big farm, but lived more at 
leisure after moving to the \'illage, where his work was 
in such shape that it did not "make a slave of him." After 
his death his daughter, Callie H., continued to occupy the 
home as long as she lived. 

Mr. Thomes was a man of wide acquaintance, and was 
universally respected wherever known. He and his wife 
were charter members of Lakeside Grange when it was or- 
ganized in 1874, and continued to take a lively interest in 
it as long as it was in existence, after which they transferred 
their membership to Crooked River Grange at Bolster's 
]\Iills. He was also a member of the first Lodge of Odd 
Fellows at Harrison, and was an honorary member of 
the present Lodge. He always took a lively interest in town 
affairs, but persistently refused to accept any office. He 
was a very kind hearted man, and he and his wife were 
always ready to respond to a call for help from those in 
distress. Marshall and Dorcas (Paine) Thomes had one 
daughter : 

Callie H., b. March 4, 1848: was afflicted with a terrible 
humor in her childhood, which almost destroyed her eye- 
sight, which was only partially restored. She was a very 
intelligent and capable woman, and kind hearted to the 
needy, though plain spoken to such an extent that some 
were inclined to take ofiiense where they were not well 
acquainted. She was an active member of Lakeside 
Grange, and also of Woodland Lodge of Rebekahs. She 
continued to reside at the home place at the Village after 
the death of her parents, and the way in which her affairs 
were managed proved conclusively that she was a shrewd 
business woman. Her Uncle Mellen made his home with 
her for several years. She died August 4, 1907, after 
a lingering illness of some months' duration. She was 
never married. 



658 A HISTORY OF THE 

A. MELLEN THOMES, third son of Amos and Abigail 
(Higgins) Thomes, born January 16, 1821, lived at home 
until about 1853, when he went West, and located in Osh- 
kosh, Wisconsin, where he entered into the lumbering busi- 
ness, and was reputed to have been quite successful. He 
served in the War of the Rebellion in the 2nd Wisconsin 
Regiment, returning to Oshkosh, and again entering into 
business. After his brother Samuel moved to Bridgton, and 
his health failed to quite an extent, Mellen returned from 
the West, and made his home with him, caring for him, 
and attending to his business ; and at his death the farm 
became the property of Mellen, he living there for some 
years after the death of his mother. In December, 1894, 
he sold out his property at Bridgton, and came to Harrison, 
making his home with his brother Marshall, at the Village, 
and, after Marshall's death in 1897, continuing to reside 
with his niece till his death, which occurred very suddenly 
on July 20, 1907. He was never married. He retired from 
active business several years ago, having carried on none 
since leaving Bridgton. He was an honorary member of 
Harrison Lodge of Odd Fellows, and took much interest 
in the work, making it a point to attend all important meet- 
ings. Although he was a resident of this vicinity during 
only a small part of his active life, he was widely known, 
and, like his brothers, he was respected by all. 

SAMUEL THOMES, fourth son of Amos and Abigail 
(Higgins) Thomes, born February 20, 1822, married Ro- 
silla Cook of Casco, daughter of William Cook, and settled 
on the home farm in South Harrison, which he carried on 
in company with his brother Marshall till 1874, and then 
alone until he sold out his farm to J. H. Hamilton of Water- 
boro in September, 1878, when he moved to Bridgton, 
buying the small farm near the Fair Ground, now owned 
by Walter Hazen. Here he lived until his death in 1883. 

Samuel Thomes was most emphatically a working man 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 659 

during all that part of his life when he was blessed with 
good health, and he took delight in thorough work, whether 
it was on the farm or in the logging swamp, he being 
equally at home in either. He was a wide-awake, enterpris- 
ing, go-ahead man in whatever he undertook, and was one 
that was not calculated to hide his light under a bushel, being 
plain-hearted, outspoken, and a hater of shams. For many 
years he was one of Harrison's leading citizens, but not 
in the sense of being an office-seeker, for he was decidedly 
averse to holding office of any kind, though some were 
thrust upon him against his will. He much preferred to 
labor on the farm or in the forest. He was member of 
Superintending School Committee one year, and served on 
the Board of Selectmen five years. In 1859, he served in 
the Legislature, having been elected from the classed towns 
of Harrison and Baldwin as a Republican over Dr. Albion 
Cobb, Democrat. 

Mr. Thomes was a representative working farmer, and 
took quite an interest in agricultural matters. AI. & S. 
Thomes were always large exhibitors at all of the town fairs 
held while they were carrying on the farm and Samuel 
Thomes was always a leading spirit in the management of 
the organization. They were large exhibitors at the first 
fair, held in 1858, generously contributed toward the big 
free dinner, and liberally assisted in paying the other ex- 
penses that were incurred. Samuel took a more active 
part in the management of such organizations than his 
brother, simply because his ability fitted him better for it, 
he being a man who was naturally in the front, while Mar- 
shall was of a more retiring disposition. Their farm was 
one of the best, and under their management was perhaps 
even more productive than when their father was carrying 
it on. They were progressive, and quick to adopt any ma- 
chinery that lessened the labor and simplified the farm op- 
erations. They were among the first in town to put the 



66o A HISTORY OF THE 

mowing machine in operation, and were at all times ready 
to try any promising farm machinery. 

Samuel Thomes was a man of strong likes and dislikes. 
No better friend ever lived, but, if for any reason he dis- 
liked any man, that man was quite likely to find it out. He 
was upright and honorable in all things, a man that intended 
to always give a "square deal," and had no love for any 
man that did not do the same by him. There was never a 
better neighbor, or a more obliging one, every ready to ac- 
commodate ; kind hearted and generous, and every ready 
to alleviate suffering and distress, and especially so in 
cases where the parties were regarded as particular friends, 
when he could never do too much. He was a man that was 
intelligent and well posted on the questions of the day, 
and had the faculty of expressing his opinions in such an 
emphatic and outspoken way that there was no mistaking 
his meaning. In politics he was naturally a Republican, 
but was so independent that he would not give his support 
to any candidate that he did not consider as fit for the 
position. Taken "all in all" he was in the broadest sense 
a good citizen, and an honor to the town; a man who was 
every ready to array himself on the side of what he regarded 
as progressive and for the good of the greatest number, 
and, having espoused any cause, to work for it to the best 
of his ability. He was a man of wide acquaintance, and 
was universally respected wherever known. The death 
of no citizen was ever more sincerely mourned in Harri- 
son and Bridgton, than was that of Samuel Thomes. His 
widow continued to live at the Bridgton home for several 
years after the decease of her husband, but finally moved 
to Casco, where she died, January 21, 1907, at the age of 
eighty-six years. 

JAMES THOMES, son of Charles and Anna (Gray) 
Thomes, and a cousin to Col. Amos Thomes, was born in 
Gorham, November 27, 1786, and married Abigail, daugh- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



66-1 



ter of Allison Libby of Gorham, on February 28, 1819. 
(She was born February 24, 1791.) They moved to Har- 
rison and settled on the farm on "Maple Ridge" that is now 
the home of his grandson, James Thomes. He was, when 
in his prime, a robust, energetic, hard working man, well 
fitted for a pioneer settler, and his wife was a fitting mate 
for such a man. They were genuine pioneers, and did 
their full part in the labor of subduing the wilderness, and 
making it the fit home for civilized man. They labored in- 
cessantly, almost day and night, as did many of those who 
were instrumental in changing the forest into a fruitful 
farm. They had children : 

Charles T., eldest son of James and Abigail (Lib- 
by) Thomes, was born in Gorham, May 7, 1823, and 
came to Harrison with his father in his infancy. He 
married Frances Brown of Raymond and settled on his 
father's home farm on what is now called Maple Ridge 
and in addition to his farming operations carried on 
butchering. He never took a very active part in town 
matters, but was Collector of Taxes in 1869-70. He was 
considerably interested in the Farmers' Club, and was its 
Treasurer for several years, and took an active part in 
the early fairs. He died June 3, 1870; his wife died 
June 28, 1803. Children ; 

1. Abbie F., b. Sept. 11, 1849, married Henry Robbins, 

died Jan. 6, 1883. Children : Fannie, b. July 24, 
1867. Rachel, b. Nov. 27, 1869. Charles T., b. 
June 30, 1873. Fannie Robbins married O. W. Lord 
of Casco, May i, 1889, and resides in Harrison. 
Rachel Robbins married John Mitchell of Casco. 
Charles Thomes Robbins, married Flora Green of 
Harrison, Oct. — , 1895, and resides in North Bridg- 
ton. 

2. James, son of Chas. T. and Frances (Brown) 
Thomes, was born in Harrison, Feb. 22, 1855, and 
lives on the homestead farm of his father and grand- 
father. He carries on his large farm, and in addi- 
tion is extensively engaged in lumbering operations. 
He is one of the leading men of the town, and has 



A HISTORY OF THE 



frequently held town office, having been Selectman 
five years, Road Commissioner, six years, and Col- 
lector of Taxes, four years. He has taken a great 
interest in the fairs, and was much interested in 
the Northern Cumberland Agricultural Society, which 
had its headquarters at South Harrison, and was one 
of the Executive Committee during its whole exis- 
tence, and its Treasurer several years. He is much 
interested in the P. of H. and is an active member of 
Lakeside Grange. He is a good business man, shrewd 
and honorable, and has much influence in town. Mar- 
ried Ella E. Green of Naples, June 6, 1882. They 
had two children: Ethel E., b. Apr. 5, 1883: J. 
Elmer, b. Mar. 15, 1888. Mrs. Thomes died Dec. 
14, 1893. He married for 2d wife, Etta A. Edgerly, 
Jan. 19, 1895. They have had four children: Alice 
F., b. Mar. 21, 1896. C. Leslie, b. Dec. 18, 1898. 
Mildred E., b. Apr. 3, 1900. Fred A., b. Apr. 8, 
1905, died June 7, 1905. 
3. Lucy A., b. May 18, i860; married E. B. Dean of 
Paris. 

Allison, second son of James and Abigail (Libby) 
Thomes, was born in Gorham, Oct. 22, 1825 : married 
Melvina, daughter of William Bucknell of Harrison, Mar. 
9, 1863, and lived on a farm on the Bolster's Mills road 
which is still his home. He has been a very hard work- 
ing man, and has always been tough and energetic. He 
is an excellent farmer, and in his younger days was 
a constant exhibitor at the fairs, usually showing a sam- 
ple of some of the best corn in town. Mr. Thomes is 
still living, and makes his home on his farm, having 
a man and woman to care for him. Barring a recent bad 
accident, he is a smart man for one of his age. They 
had one child, Mary Hortense, b. Nov. 8, 1869 ; married 
Fred B. Pike of Cornish, Oct. 22, 1896. Melvina Thomes 
died Jan. 19, 1904. 

Sarah, b. in Gorham, Apr. , 1827, married Enoch Mc- 
Donald of Windham. 

A. M. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 663 



THOMPSON FAMILY. 

PHINEAS THOMPSON of Gorham, came to Harrison 
early in the last century. He lived temporarily in the Emer- 
son schoolhouse with his family ; thence moving into a 
log cabin located where his house was afterward built. He 
married Lydia Blake of Gorham. Their children were : 

AsEN.VTH, married Valentine Harmon of Westbrook; died 
in 1863. 

Arexzene, b. Sept. 30, 1826; married 1st, David M. Wood- 
sum of Harrison. They had a son, David M., b. Apr. 
17, 1855. He was several years in the service of the 
Panama Commission, but is now engaged in private mer- 
cantile business at Gorgona, Canal Zone. Mrs. Arexzene 
Woodsum married 2d, Leonard Decker of Otisfield ; she 
died July 15, 1906. 

RoBY, married Charlotte McAllister of Harrison. They 
moved to Minnesota many years ago; have children. 

Julia, b. Oct. 10, 183 1 : married Benson M. Davis of 
Auburn in 1846 ; died Feb. 5, 1896. Mr. Davis died Dec. 
10, 1907. Their children : 

1. Clarence, died in infancy. 

2. Ella May, b. in 1850; died in infancy. 

3. Laura Estella, b. Aug. 9, 1853 ; married Clarence 

Yeaton of Portsmouth, N. H., a farmer; resides in 
Harrison. 



TOLMAN FAMILY. 

PHILANDER TOLMAN was a descendant of Revo- 
lutionary stock. His great grandfather, Jacob Newhall, 
was in the Revolutionary army. He witnessed the sur- 
render of Burgoyne, and was in the army five years. 

Philander 's grandfather, Benjamin Tolman, fought at 



664 A HISTORY OF THE 

Bunker Hill, and at Stillwater, near Saratoga. In the 
battle of Bunker Hill he was in the thickest of the fight. 
In a hand to hand conflict his gun was wrenched from him 
by a British soldier, but he stood his ground, defending him- 
self with the weapons nature had furnished him until his 
captain, seeing his situation, brought him another musket, 
with which he continued to fight until ordered to retreat. 
He was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and the house 
where his birth occurred, known as the old Tolman resi- 
dence, is still standing, and has been occupied by successive 
generations of the Tolman family ever since the days of 
the Revolutionary War. 

The wife of Benjamin Tolman was Hepsibath Newhall, 
and there were born to this couple fourteen children. Henry 
Tolman, the father of Philander, the second son of Ben- 
jamin and Hepsibath, was born in Marlboro, New Hamp- 
shire (now Troy), in 1873. He married Mary Harris, 
November 28, 1806. In connection with the engagement 
of Henry Tolman to Mary Harris the History of Troy, New 
Hampshire, contains the following incident: "In regard 
to the old elm tree which stands on the premises of Chris- 
topher Harris in Troy: Henry Tolman, who was engaged 
to Mary Harris, was visiting his sweetheart. Miss Mary. 
Being out with her brothers engaged in drawing the win- 
ter's wood, he thoughtlessly stuck a sledstake into the 
ground, by the side of the road, near the dooryard. In the 
spring this stake began to show signs of vitality ; it took 
root, sent out branches, and became a stately tree. Long 
may it wave to the memory of Henry Tolman, who placed 
it there." 

Henry Tolman died March 6, 185 1, and his wife's death 
occurred August 5, 1859. They were the parents of eleven 
children, as follows : 

Ch.\rles at, b. Jan. 21, 1807, died Dec. 27, 1830. 
Nancy, b. June 17, 1808, died Oct. 23, i860. 




Hon. Philander Tolman 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 665 

Henry, b. Aug. 13, 1809, died Aug. 10, 1892. 

Elisha W., b. June 17, 181 1, died Jan. 16, 1875. 

Daniel, b. Nov. 7, 1812, died Oct. — , 1885. 

Mary, b. May 5, 18 14, died Feb. 21, 1888. 

Jacob, b. Jan. 2, 1816, died Dec. 8, 1873. 

James, b. May 6, 1817, died Jan. 28, 1821. 

Philander, b. June 13, 1819, died Aug. 30, 1897. 

Sarah A., b. Dec. 31, 1824, died Nov. 2, 1844. 

A. Malvina, b. Alay 11, 1828, married Frank Osbourne, 
and is now living in West Fitchburg, Mass. 

PHILANDER TOLMAN received his early education 
in the public schools of his native county. When a boy 
he worked for his father in the pottery business. At the 
age of fifteen he was the captain of the Washington Ar- 
tillery Company. At the age of seventeen he went to 
Worcester, Massachusetts, and entered the Washburn Wire 
Mills as an apprentice. There he remained twelve years, 
becoming a most skilled workman. In 1848, he came to 
Harrison, which was then a small, struggling village, formed 
a partnership with Charles Farley, and entered into the 
manufacture of all kinds of iron and steel wire, the firm 
being known as "Farley & Tolman." Five years later the 
firm was dissolved, and for a few months the business was 
carried on by Charles Farley & Sons. Jacob Hazen took 
the business in 1855, with Mr. Tolman as manager, and con- 
tinued it until some time in 1857, when he sold out to the 
new firm of P. Tolman & Co., which was composed of 
Philander Tolman, Franklin Walker, and John W. Cas- 
well. Under the management of this firm the business grew 
to such proportions that it became necessary to increase 
the size of the buildings, and in 1865, the new wire mill 
was built, which became the home of a large and thriving 
industry, and as the business grew, so grew the town. This 
firm continued the manufacture of wire until 1S87, when 



666 A HISTORY OF THE 

the business was closed up, Franklin Walker having pre- 
viously died in 1884. The chief reason for the discontin- 
uance of the business here was the fact that changes in 
regard to the manufacture of wire in other parts of the 
country had made the making of it in Maine an unprofitable 
business. 

In 1870, Mr. Tolman erected the mansion known as 
"Greenwood Villa," which was his home until his death in 
1897, and which is now the home of his daughter, Mrs. 
Anna Dudley. During the last few years of his life he 
carried on the manufacture of bricks, the brickyard being 
a short distance to the north of his residence. 

In politics Mr. Tolman was an ardent Republican, and 
he was also an earnest worker in the temperance cause. 
In i860, he was elected as Representative to the Legis- 
lature from the district composed of Bridgton and Harrison, 
and in 1878-79, he was elected as a State Senator by the 
Republicans of Cumberland County. For many years he 
was prominent in all town affairs, was Chairman of the 
Selectmen in 1862, and served as Moderator at nine Annual 
Town Meetings. 

He was always active in educational matters, and could 
always be relied upon to speak and act on the side of prog- 
ress and liberality. His interest was not confined to the 
town schools, but extended to the higher schools, and Bridg- 
ton Academy in particular. In 1866, he was elected as a 
Trustee of that institution, to fill the vacancy on the Board 
caused by the death of Dr. Nathaniel Pease. He continued 
to hold the position for twenty-nine years, and was an active 
member of the Board as long as his health permitted him 
to attend the meetings. For nineteen years he filled the 
position of Treasurer, and was elected for the twentieth 
time, but failing health obliged him to resign from the 
Board in 1895, and George H. Greene was chosen as his 
successor. 




Mrs. Laura (Kei.ton) Tolman 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 66/ 

He was always an active worker in religious matters. 
He united with the Baptist Church in Worcester, Massa- 
chusetts, in 1837. During the years of his residence in 
Harrison, he labored with much zeal for the welfare of 
the Baptist Church, and contributed liberally towards its 
support. He was mainly instrumental in causing the re- 
moval of the Baptist meeting-house from its first site, and 
the building of the new one in the center of Harrison Vil- 
lage. In connection with this enterprise he expended con- 
siderable money for the re-establishment of the church of 
his faith in a locality, and under conditions, deemed more 
favorable than it had ever known before. For several years 
after the completion of the new church there was regular 
preaching and a Sunday-school in the church, but of late 
years no pastor has been employed, and, with no leader 
like the late Mr. Tolman, the Baptist Church of Harrison, 
once a living and effective power in religious reform, and 
with a large membership, has been compelled to suspend 
its visible operations as a branch of the great Protestant 
church organizations. 

(The church building in Harrison Village spoken of 
above has for many years been unoccupied and going to 
decay. Less than forty-eight hours before this sketch of 
Mr. Tolman is being finally revised the building was to- 
tally destroyed by fire, and there was no insurance upon 
the structure. — Editor.) 

Mr. Tolman married Laura Kelton (born February ii, 
1814) of Warwick, [Massachusetts, November 3, 1841. To 
them were born eight children, as follows : 

Fr.\nk W., b. Aug. 13, 1842, married Hattie Morton, 
Nov. 24. 1S70. 

George W.. b. April 4, 1845, died Sept. 5. 1848. 

Theodore AL, b. Mar. 10, 1847, married Augusta Hazelton, 
Nov. 20, 1869. 

Georgi.\xa, b. Nov. 12, 1848, died Aug. 31, 1850. 



668 A HISTORY OF THE 

Charles E., b. July i, 1850, married Mattie Richardson, 
Oct. 23, 1872. 

Emma F., b. Apr. 6, 1852, married Albert F. Richardson, 
Nov. 2-j, 1873. 

James H., b. Oct. 22, 1853, married Ella E. Chaplin, Nov. 

25, 1877. 
Anna M., b. Mar. 10, 1867, married Walter S. Dudley, Jan. 

12, 1882. 



REV. FRANK W. TOLMAN. 

Frank Warren Tolman, eldest son of this family, mar- 
ried November 24, 1870, Hattie Morton of South Paris, 
and had one child, A. Laura, born October 9, 1871. He 
removed with his parents to Harrison, Maine, at the age 
of six years. When he was ten years old, he received 
a severe accidental injury to his hip while coasting, which 
caused permanent lameness and much suffering at times 
throughout his life. Yet, with this great affliction he was 
brave and courageous, getting as much enjoyment out of 
life as those who were stronger than he. He attended 
Bridgton Academy and graduated from Colby University 
in class of 1866. 

Feeling that he was called of God to enter the ministry, 
he pursued his theological studies at Newton Theological 
Institution and at the Seminary of Upper Alton, 111. He 
was ordained at Farmington, Maine, in 1870, and became 
pastor of the church in Harrison. Here he served three 
years and a half. He then accepted a call to the Baptist 
Church of Campton, New Hampshire, where his labors 
were especially successful in the conversion of many im- 
penitent souls who were added to the church. After three 
years, he returned to Maine, much to the regret of the 
Campton people, and accepted a call to the church at Dex- 
ter, Maine, where he remained one year, resigning there 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 669 

on account of failing health. After a few restful months 
at his Harrison home, desiring again to take up his work, 
and believing that he might be much benefitted by the 
bracing atmosphere of the seashore, he accepted a unani- 
mous call to the church at South Hampton, New Hampshire. 
He had no sooner arrived there with his family, when he 
was stricken with severe illness. His friend, Rev. C. C. 
Sampson, kindly offered to preach for him the first Sun- 
day, but before another Sunday came, he was called to "lay 
aside his armor and enter into rest." He was kindly, 
genial, sympathetic, loved his work, and rejoiced in every 
opportunity to do good to his fellowmen. He labored with 
more than ordinary zeal, and his short ministry was at- 
tended by frequent revivals of religion in his church. Mr. 
Tolman died July 14, 1877. 

THEODORE M. TOLMAN, third son of Philander 
Tolman, married Augusta Hazelton, November 20, 1869. 
Children : Emma Isabel, born October 8, 1874 ; Frank 
Albert, born November 16, 1879, died January 2^, 1881. 
Mr. Tolman was a resident of Harrison for several years 
after his marriage, and then removed to Portland, where 
he has since resided. For several years he was one of the 
superintendents in the work shop at Portland Jail. He is 
a prominent Odd Fellow, and retains his membership in 
the lodge in his native town. 

CHARLES E. TOLMAN, fourth son of Philander Tol- 
man, married Mattie Richardson of Sebago, October 23, 
1872. Children : Dean J., born December 23, 1873 ; Carl 
J., born March 22, 1875 ; Jessie C, born March 10, 1880. 
Mr. Tolman resided in Harrison for several years after 
his marriage, and was for a time the proprietor of a book, 
stationery and music store, and was a prominent musician. 
Later he removed to South Paris, where he has since re- 
sided. He is a well known insurance agent, and dealer 
in real estate. 



670 A HISTORY OF THE 

EMMA F. TOLMAN, second daughter of Philander 
Tolman, married Albert F. Richardson of Sebago, No- 
vember 27, 1873. Children: Frank Tolman, born April 
I, 1878; Anna Mabel, born July i, 1879; Mary Cleaves, 
born December 26, 1880; Augusta Hortense, born Septem- 
ber 13, 1883; Amy Kelton, born September 21, 1888. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been residents of Cas- 
tine, Maine, for several years, Mr. Richardson being the 
well known and popular Principal of the State Normal 
School at that place. 

JAMES H. TOLMAN, fifth and youngest son of Phi- 
lander Tolman, married Ella E., daughter of Hon. C. A. 
Chaplin of Harrison, November 25, 1877. Children: E. 
May, born October 20, 1878: George W., born July 17, 
1880; A. Laura, born September 26, 1883. Mr. Tolman 
was educated in the Harrison schools, and Bridgton Acad- 
emy. He studied law in the office of his father-in-law, Hon. 
C. A. Chaplin, and commenced the practice of law at 
Casco, Maine, in 1881, and was also engaged in the mill- 
ing business in that town. In 1886, he was elected as a 
member of the Board of County Commissioners by the 
Republicans of Cumberland County, and held the office for 
six years. He removed from Casco about 1891, and located 
in Westbrook. In 1893, he was appointed as Judge of the 
Municipal Court in that city, and still retains the position. 
He is very popular in the city of his residence, and has 
been three times re-appointed as judge, and his many friends 
in his native town always take pleasure in assisting him as 
much as possible. He continues the practice of law, and 
is quite prominent in the profession. 

ANNA M. TOLMAN, third and youngest daughter of 
Philander Tolman, married Walter S. Dudley, January 12, 
1882, and has one child: Mildred Emma, born February 
3, 1883. Mr. and Airs. Dudley reside at "Greenwood Villa," 
in Harrison, which was the residence of Mrs. Dudley's 
father. 

EMMA ISABEL TOLMAN, daughter of Theodore 
and Augusta Tolman, and granddaughter of Philander 
Tolman, married Charles G. Herald of Portland, December 
30, 1897. Children: Gardner Tolman, born July 6, 1899; 




Hon. James H. Tolmax 




Mrs. J. H. Tolma> 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 67I 

Theodore Thomas, born January 31, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. 
Herald are residents of Portland. 

Mrs. Laura (Kelton) Tolman, widow of Philander Tol- 
man, died April 21, 1904, aged ninety years. 



GOLDEN WEDDING. 

November 3, 1891, marked the fiftieth year of the mar- 
ried life of Philander and Laura (Kelton) Tolman. The 
anniversary was honored by the presence of a large assem- 
blage of their descendants and other relatives and friends — 
about seventy-five in all. The mansion, "Greenwood \'il- 
la," and lawn were illuminated by Chinese lanterns, the par- 
lors festooned with evergreen, the dates "1841-1891" be- 
ing placed over the folding doors, banks of plants and 
cut flowers forming other decorations of the room. A 
profusion of valuable and elegant gifts were received from 
many friends in Maine and iNIassachusetts. A fine poem 
"Toll Gatherers," contributed for the occasion by Mary 
Tolman Saben, a relative of Mr. Tolman, was read by 
Miss Gibson, teacher of elocution at Bridgton Acad- 
emy, and a golden wedding song by the same author was 
sung to "Auld Lang Syne." Numerous letters of congratu- 
lation and regret were received, including one from Hon. 
Thomas B. Reed, member of Congress. 

Several of the grandchildren of Mr. and IMrs. Tolman 
have been for a number of years distinguished widely for 
their natural talents for music, and for the high degree 
of culture attained by them in that greatest of the fine arts. 

Miss A. Laura Tolman, daughter of Frank W. and 
Hattie Tolman is recognized as one of the most promis- 
ing lady violincellists in Boston. Her musical education 
was obtained in Boston and in Germany, where she per- 
fected her studies in the finer points of 'cello playing 
under the best masters. Her professional twin de plume 



672 A HISTORY OF THE 

is "Tolmanina." Another grandchild who is eminent as 
a professor of the piano and teacher is Carl Jean, a son 
of Charles E. and Mattie Tolman of South Paris. He 
has won much fame, and is known and appreciated as 
an artist through our State and other States. A third 
grandchild who has developed remarkable talent for piano 
playing is Mildred E., only daughter of Walter and Anna 
Tolman Dudley. She is entirely devoted to her profession 
and has attained to much excellence as a performer before 
the public. She was a graduate of Bridgton Academy and 
of Castine Normal School before she resolved to make 
music the business of her life. 



TRAFTON FAMILY. 

JOSHUA TRAFTON, very early in Harrison in the 
last century, was born September 27, 1784. He came from 
York, Maine. He married Johann Ross of Harrison, born 
February 28, 1797; died October 28, 1861. Their children: 
Otis F., Ruth, Susan, Joseph, Johann, Abbie, Huldah. 

Otis F., b. Dec. 20, 1807, married Eliza Wilkins of Water- 
ford, b. Mar. 4, 1814. Their children: 

1. Henry O., b. Dec. 17, 1835; married Henrietta Cush- 

man of Waterboro, Me. They have one child, Etta S. 

2. John Emerson, b. Mar. 28, 1838, married Myra 

Maines of Bethel; Mr. Trafton died Oct. 31, 1897. 

3. Elizabeth, b. May 17, 1842; died Sept. 30, 1845. 

4. Algernon, b. May 17, 1842 ; died Sept. 16, 1845. 

5. Abbie M., b. July 3. 1844; married George W. New- 

comb, of Harrison. They had two children : Fo- 
neta, b. July 5, 1876, married Benj. Iredale of Bridg- 
ton; they have one child, Ruth. Sumner O., b. 
Nov. 27, 1880, married Augusta DeShon Albee of 
Rockland, Me. 

6. Frank M., b. Dec. 22, 1847 ; married Clara L., daugh- 
ter of Smith Chaplin of Naples. They have three 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 673 

children: Lida A., b. Mar. 30, 1876, married J. 
Howard Randall of Portland ; they reside in Harri- 
son. Carlotta, b. Aug. 5, 1885, married Benj. Har- 
mon of Harrison ; they have two children, Lynton 
and Lida. Araminta O., b. June 19, 1891. 

7. James A., b. Mar. , married Araminta, daughter 

of Smith Chaplin, of Naples ; they have three chil- 
dren: Otis, b. Apr. 12, 1875, married Ella Meserve 
of Westbrook, Me ; one child, Norman. Leo, b. 
Oct. — , 1876, married Margaret Rankins of Sanford. 
Charles, b. July 31, 1875, married Clark of San- 
ford. 

Ruth, married Charles Kimball, July 4, 1838. They had 
children: Leonard, Porter, Augusta, Abbie. 

Susan, married John Lewis. Their children were: John, 
Charles, and Eliza. 

Joseph, married Jane Lewis of Lovell : they had two 

sons, Newell A., and Perley. 

I. Newell A., b. Oct. 13, 1843; married Mary Elizabeth, 
(b. Dec. 22, 1846), daughter of Dr. John E. and Mary 
E. Dunnells of Harrison, Dec. 15, 1867. They re- 
sided on the farm previously owned and occupied 
by Joseph, the father of Newell, for the first thirteen 
years of their married life, when Mr. Trafton re- 
moved to Norway \'illage in 1880. To Newell and 
Mary E. Trafton were born three children in Harri- 
son: Mabel Jane, b. Oct. 21, 1868, married H. 
Howard Knight of South Portland. Homer D., b. 
Nov. 14, 1870; died Dec. 9, 1895. Alice Maud, b. 
June 15, 1872, married Charles Q. Knight, and re- 
sides in Portland. 

Mrs. M. Elizabeth Trafton died May 11, 1885, in Norway. 

Mr. Trafton married second, Hattie E. Libby of Casco, 
Maine, in Gorham, New Hampshire, January 3, 1887. He 
died in Norway, March 9, 1891. The family removed from 
Norway to Portland the same year, and continue to reside 
there. 

JoHANN, married William Badger. They had two chil- 
dren : Willie and Abby Eliza. 



6/4 A HISTORY OF THE 

Abbie B., married Leonard Libby of Harrison, Oct. 27, 
1847. (See Libby family.) 

HuLDAH, b. Aug. 2.2, 1826, died Sept. 3, 1878 ; unmarried. 

G. F. 



TWOMBLY FAMILY. 

WILLLA.M TWOMBLY, son of William and Mary 
(Hicks) Twombly, was born in Norway, August 31, 1803. 
He married December 13, 1829, Alice, youngest daughter 
of James and Jemima (Stetson) Sampson, born September 
15, 1803, in Harrison, one of the first children born on 
the site of the Harrison Village after its settlement by her 
father in 1800. 

Mr. Twombly, early in his married life, settled at Bol- 
ster's Mills, and all his children were born there. The 
tract of land purchased for a homestead, a portion of which 
was cultivated successfully by him during his lifetime, has, 
by clearing and intelligent handling, become in later years, 
one of the most valuable small farms in the town. 

As a carpenter and builder, Mr. Twombly was unex- 
celled. He erected and finished a number of the most sub- 
stantial dwelling houses in his own village ; one being the 

dwelling erected in for Benjamin Farrington, now the 

home of Walker Mills. Another on the Otisfield side of 

the river built in , for Oliver Corliss. He also made 

in his shop a superior kind of winnowing machines, or 
grain separators, for which he had a patent right. He 
was the master builder of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
building in the village of his residence. He was a pattern 
of industry and integrity in all his business relations with 
others. In his daily life and deportment he exhibited to 
the world the reality of conscientious Christian manhood. 
In his relations to the church, he was a class-leader and 
trustee for many years of the church property, guarding 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 675 

its interests with strict fidelity. He was a devoted friend 
of popular education and of all movements for conserving 
public morality. The cause of temperance was very dear 
to him. He was a charter member of Crooked River Di- 
vision, No. 100, Sons of Temperance, organized February 
5, 1850. He was a Democrat for many years but ever 
after the firing on the old flag at Fort Sumter, he was an 
imcompromising Republican. He loved freedom and jus- 
tice more than mere party. 

]\Irs. Alice Twombly possessed in full measure those 
kindly qualities of character which distinguished the family 
from which she sprung, in all its generations, and no family 
in the town ever received a greater measure of regard and 
neighborly affection than that of Mr. and Mrs. Twombly. 
Mr. Twombly died May 2, 1876, aged seventy-six years. 
Mrs. Twombly died September 5, 1877, aged seventy-four 
years. Their children are : 

James Clinton, b. Aug. 21, 1830; died Nov. 12, 1849. 

L'i'DiA Waterhouse, b. Oct. 3, 1832 ; married Dec. 3, 
1854, Charles E. Stuart. (See Stuart family.) 

Olive Watson, b. Nov. 19, 1839 ; married. Mar. 23, 1856, 
John Newland Knight of Otisfield. They have one 
daughter, Alice Twombly, b. May 7, 1857. They reside 
in Bolster's Mills. 

William Wallace, b. July 14, 18 — : married Aug. 4, 
1859, at South Paris. Harriet G. Hicks ; they have re- 
sided in Norway Village nearly all their married life. 
Mr. Twombly worked many years in the Norway tannery ; 
was a soldier in the Civil War in Maine Volunteers. 
He is employed as janitor at the Norway Opera House. 
Their children : John Clinton, b. Sept. 7, 1863. William 
Laforest, b. June i, 1874. 

John Nelson, b. Jan. 12, 1842 ; died in infancy. 

G. F. 



676 A HISTORY OF THE 

WALKER FAMILY. 

The ancestor of the Walkers of Harrison, and of the 
numerous descendants by other names in this and other 
towns in this and other States for more than a hundred 
years, was CHARLES WALKER, who was born in Kit- 
tery. District of Maine, Aug. 15, 1759. He settled in Fal- 
mouth (now Portland) before or during the War of the 
Revolution. He served in that war as a private soldier 
imder three separate enlistments in companies that were 
raised in Falmouth, commanded as follows: March, 1778, 
nine months, Capt. Jesse Partridge; July, 1779, three 
months, Capt. William Cobb; July, 1780, eight months, 
Capt. Joseph Pride. During the third term of his service, 
he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. 

Mr. Walker was a LInited States pensioner under an ap- 
plication dated July 16, 1833, to his death, June 20, 1843. 
He married Eunice Berry, probably of Falmouth, December 
26, 1782. She was born September 24, 1761, and died in 
Harrison, July 29, 1823. They had a family of three sons 
and three daughters, all born in Falmouth. Samuel, born 
October 8, 1783 ; married Hannah Hicks of Westbrook in 
1808. Miriam, born October 7, 1785 ; married Philip Cobb 
of Windham. Charles, Jr., born October i, 1787; mar- 
ried Sally Barbour, eighth child of Adam and Betty 
(Knight) Barbour of Westbrook. John, born September 
3, 1791 ; died November 24, 1791. Eunice, born ilay 4, 
1793; married Bela Dawes of Harrison. Eliza, born June 
28, 1798: married Joshua Howard of Harrison, and, sec- 
ondly, David Woodsum of Harrison. 



SAMUEL WALKER, son of Charles and Eunice (Ber- 
ry) Walker, settled first on a farm near Pride's Bridge, 
Westbrook, on the Presumpscot River. He subsequently 
sold out, and moved to Harrison about 1815, purchasing 



TOWN OF HARRISON'. 6/7 

a farm from the original proprietor, Harrison Gray Otis, 
located one-half mile easterly from the village, on the hill. 
Here he established a homestead, raised a large family, 
four of whom were born in Westbrook. He was a man 
of excellent character, a worthy member for many years of 
the Free Will Baptist Church, and highly respected as a 
citizen and neighbor. He died September 27, 1867. His 
wife pre-deceased him June 4, 1850. They had seven 
children as follows : 

Ch.\rles, b. Aug. 4, 1809; married Nov. 21, 1833, Mary 
H. Hanson of Harrison. He succeeded his father in 
the management of the home farm and in the care of 
the aged parents : but he died Feb. 16, i860, while his 
father was yet living. He was like his father, a kind 
neighbor and citizen and a devoted Christian. His widow 
survived him forty-seven years. She died Apr. 16, 1907, 
aged 94 years. Their children were : 

1. Charles Lincoln, b. Aug. 3, 1835 ; married ist, Lydia 

Sawyer of Harrison, Dec. 13, 1859 (b. Mar. 10, 
1838 and died July 15, 1866). Mr. Walker married 
2d, Sarah J., daughter of Walter P. and Hannah 
(Bray) Harmon, Alay 9, 1867. They had children: 
Charles Sidney, b. Aug. 24, 1870 ; married Adele Le- 
Duc, of Lowell, Mass., Apr. 6, 1904 (b. Feb. 14, 
1877). Frank Wilson, b. Aug. 3, 1872: married 
Eva W. Carsley of Harrison, June 9, 1895. She was 
born Apr. 28, 1873. Walter Wilfred, b. Aug. 3, 
1872; married ^Marion W. Jones, Sept. 26, 1900; 
b. July 3, 1871 ; they have a son, Harold Harmon, 
b. July 29, 1903. 

2. Emily H., b. Sept. 3, 1837; married Horace E. 
Adams, June 7, 1861. He was born Oct. 14, 1827; 
died in Peabody, ^lass., Feb. 24, 1895. Their chil- 
dren: Emma F., b. Apr. 6. 1862. IMary E.. b. Oct. 
8, 1863. Ada L. b. Mar. 28, 1866; married Alonzo 
W. Tyler, of Peabodv, Mass., Mar. 29, 1886: chil- 
dren : Mabel C, b. Jan. 20, 1889. Ethel H., b. July 
3, 1891. Alma B., b. Jan. 23, 1896. Orrace A., b. 
June 7, 1901. Warren A., b. July 14, 1905. John 
H., b. July 2, 1871, in Peabody. 



678 A HISTORY OF THE 

3. Albert Wesley, b. Oct. 14, 1840: married Addie E. 
Adams of Worcester, Mass., May 17, 1864. She 
was born Aug. 25, 1838. Children: Mary Alice, 
b. Mar. 8, 1870; married L. S. Burbank ; she died 
Apr. 2, 1895. Albert Franklin, b. Mar. 8, 1872; 
married Isabella Frost of New York ; children : Alice 
T., b. in Winthrop, Mass., and Aubrey C. ; they live 
in Winthrop. 

4. Caroline P., b. Dec. 13, 1842 ; married Freeman J. 

Dunn of Harrison; she died Oct. 31, 1886. Mr. 

Dunn died . Their children : Charles F., b. 

May 19, 1869; married Kate J. Gray of Bridgton, 
Me., Nov. 24, 1895; she was born Mar. 19, 1871 ; 
they have one son: Gerald P., b. July 18, 1900. 
William M., b. Apr. 26, 1871 ; married Nov. 19, 
1895, Alice E. Simpson of Bridgton (b. Mar. 9, 
1873) ; they have one son: Lawrence E. Dunn, b. 
June 17, 1899. 

WiLLi.'XM, b. July 25, 181 1 ; married Belinda Edson of 
Harrison, Aug. 13, 1835; settled in Harrison; their chil- 
dren were : 

1. Lucy E. ; married Isaiah Spiller of Casco. 

2. Adeline ; married Jason Kimball of Gilead. 

3. Franklin ; lives in Waterville, Me ; unmarried. 

4. William ; married Eunice, daughter of Benjamin 
Wheeler of Harrison. Had a daughter, Nellie ; mar- 
ried Rollins Davis of Harrison. 

George; married Lydia Ann Libby, Oct. 25, 1840; settled 
in Harrison. Their children : 

1. George W., b. Mar. 12, 1842; died young. 

2. Julia A. ; married Virgil D. Kennerson of Harrison, 

deceased. 

3. Albert, b. Mar. 25, 1846; married Ellen Woodbury 

of Bridgton. They had children. He was killed 
by a railroad accident in Massachusetts. 

4. Samuel, b. Apr. 9, 1848 ; married Ellen Kneeland of 

Harrison. Had issue. 

5. Elliot L., b. Mar. 22. 1850; married Brown 

of Hiram. 

6. Zibeah ; died unmarried. 



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I'kanklix Walker 



TOWN OF HARRISON'. 679 

Samuel, b. June lo. 1815 : married Charlotte Twitchell 
of Bethel. They settled in Harrison; Mr. \\'alker was 
a shoemaker, a man of intelligence and ability to con- 
duct public affairs. He held the office of Town Treas- 
urer and other offices. Their children : 

1. Algernon S., b. Apr. 12, 1841. 

2. Osgood B., b. Dec. 14, 1842 ; married Addie Lamb. 

3. Emeline S.. b. Sept. 12, 1844. 

4. Frances C, b. Dec. 29, 1846. 

5. John D., b. Mar. 31, 1849; died Jan. 6, 1851. 

6. Clara. 

7. John E. 

8. Emma J., b. ; married Thomas Mason of Bridg- 

ton. 

Franklin, son of Samuel, b. in Harrison, Nov. 20, 1817 ; 
married Frances Bailey, b. Sept. 20, 1825, daughter 
of James Bailey of Harrison. Their children : 

1. Frances Eugenia, b. June, 1848; married ist, Os- 
good Noyes of Harrison ; they had one child, Er- 
land Frank, b. Aug. 28. 1877; married 2d, Albion 
Kimball of Harrison ; they reside in Gorham, Me. 

2. Horace, b. Oct. 14, 185 1 ; married Mar. 4, 1875, Mary 
Jane Scribner of Otisfield, b. Sept. 28, 1853 ; they 
have one child : Frank Wilmot, b. Dec. 24, 1877 ; 
married Oct. 10, 1900, Grace May, daughter of 
Isaac and Alma (Edwards) Skillings of Harrison, 
Dec. 26, 1877: children: Paul Whitman, b. Dec. 10, 
1903. Henry Wilmot, b. Jan. 24, 1908. 

Franklin Walker was, in early life, a farmer boy, but 
being inclined to mechanical pursuits, he learned the wire- 
making art. and by industry and application he became a 
skilled workman, and eventually, a partner in the noted 
firm of P. Tolman & Co., proprietors of the largest wire 
manufacturing business in the State. He was of versatile 
genius and excelled in several specialties of work. He had 
an inherent love of music, and was many years a choir 
singer and leader, and was one of the best known teachers 
of the old fashioned singing schools in this section of the 



680 A HISTORY OF THE 

State. He. early in life, became a member of the Free 
Baptist Church, and was one of the most constant and de- 
voted supporters of that faith and worship. He was a 
contractor with S. H. Dawes for building the Free Baptist 
Church in Harrison Village, and served the church in many 
other ways. He possessed a heart of kindness, sympathy 
and charity, and for his true neighborly character he was 
beloved by every one who knew him. Franklin Walker 
died Sept. 28, 1884. His widow died June 15, 1904. 

Mary, b. in Harrison, July 19, 1821 ; married Simon Sea- 
vey of Waterford ; their children : 

1. Charles W. ; is a machinist and engineer in a west- 

ern State. 

2. Frank W. ; is superintendent or foreman of a woolen 

factory in Vassalboro, Me. 

3. John ; resides in State of Oregon. 

4. Horace, b. in Waterford : married Annie Dawes of 
Harrison. (See Dawes family.) He is a talented 
musician and has been for thirty years or more 
prominently identified with a number of the most 
celebrated military bands in the country, as a player 
of the tuba. He travelled and played with Sousa's 
world-famous band, for nearly twenty years. He 
resides in New York City. 

ZiBEAH, b. in Harrison, May 16, 1825 ; she, early in life, 
learned the tailoress' trade, and was employed in that 
business the most of her life, working many years in 
Harrison. She resided the latter years of her life in 
Waterville, where she died. 

MIRIAM WALKER, second child of (^narles and Eu- 
nice (Berry) Walker, married Cobb, and settled in 

Lincoln, Maine, where they had children. 

CHARLES WALKER, JR.. second son of Charles and 
Eunice (Berry) Walker, settled first in Westbrook, where 
he married Sally Barbour, daughter of Adam Barbour of 
that town. In the War of 1812, he was in military ser- 
vice of the government for a limited time, as a musician. 




Charles Walker, Esq. 




Mrs. Sally (Barbour) Walkkr 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 68l 

at Portland. He came to Harrison about 1815, with his 
father, occupied the same house, and with his wife, was 
ever after the firm stay and support of his aged parents 
during all their declining years. He early embraced the 
faith of the Free Will Baptists, and was distinguished for 
his zeal in advancing the interests of that denomination, 
and for his high Christian character. He was one of that 
noble triumvirate of deacons, Carsley, Bray and Walker, 
who for many years upheld the standard of their church, 
and helped lay deep and strong, the foundations of the 
religious structure which stands unmoved today in its de- 
votedness to the principles of higher living and the ad- 
vancement of society toward perfection in the civilization 
and conversion of the world to pure Christianity. Deacon 
Walker possessed sufficient education to be a competent 
teacher of the young, and for several years during his 
early residence in town, he kept a school each winter in an 
unoccupied room of his own house. He was a devoted 
friend and supporter of all movements for popular educa- 
tion, and was one of the foremost leaders in the organiza- 
tion of the large school district, and the erection of the 
schoolhouse known for many years as the "Pound School- 
house," from its proximity to the town pound. That dis- 
trict embraced for years, the inhabitants of the village, 
the Woodsum neighborhood, and down the country road 
to include the family of Esq. Oliver Peirce. It was a fa- 
mous old school district, and many finely educated teachers 
were employed to train the youth within the walls of that 
hall of learning for about a quarter of the whole town. 
The "Pound Schoolhouse" was also a great center for re- 
ligious gatherings for prayer and conference meetings, and 
many of the early itinerant preachers of the Free Will 
Baptist order, as well as those of the straight sect of 
Baptists, have labored there for the conversion and re- 
formation of sinners. Thus was Deacon Walker as a teach- 
er, and as a member for years of the school committee. 



682 A HISTORY OF THE 

closely identified with the early progress in providing edu- 
cational advantages for the youth of the town. Besides, 
he was a captain of the militia, a Justice of the Peace, 
chairman of the Selectmen, and Town Clerk for about 
twenty-three years. Deacon Walker was for many years 
Clerk of the Otisfield Quarterly Meeting, which embraced 
a large number of churches in Cumberland and Oxford 
Counties, and included the church at Shelburne, New 
Hampshire. He thus became widely known to the denomi- 
nation in that circuit, and was universally loved for his 
fine social qualities as well as for his true piety. But 
it was in the exercise of his gift, an endowment peculiarly 
his own, that he was known far and wide as "the sweet 
singer," vv-hose rendering of the favorite old revival hymns 
'"with the spirit and understanding" made him a power to 
thrill the minds of the wayward, comfort the hearts of 
the sorrowing, and arrest the attention of the impenitent, 
sometimes, it was said, more effectually than some of the 
pulpit efforts of the ablest preachers. Inspired with re- 
ligious fervor, with solemn face glowing and radiant with 
emotion, with eyes upturned, and hand pointing upward, 
he used this gift of musical eloquence to move the mul- 
titude of breathless listeners in a way that threw into 
shadow many of the traditions of the devotees of the mu- 
sical and dramatic schools. 

Deacon Walker was endowed with a strong physical con- 
stitution, as was likewise his wife. They were inured to 
many hardships, and were patterns of industry and thrift 
in domestic management, and distinguished in a wide home 
community, and among all the churches, for generous hos- 
pitality and benevolence. 

When the Quarterly or Yearly Meetings came around 
to Harrison their home was always thronged by the brethren 
and sisters, especially by the ministers ; and when the beds 
in the house had all been pre-empted by the women, to 
whom they were assigned by Mother Walker, the presiding 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 683 

genius of the occasion, slie would cover the floor of some 
large spare room with extemporized accommodations for 
the men, by cutting up a web or two of factory cotton 
cloth into sheet lengths, and making ticks to be filled 
with clean straw from the barn, so that, with the extra 
bed clothes always in reserve in that house, and the buf- 
falo robes and cushions from the carriages of the guests, 
there was an array of field beds sufficient for all the 
brethren. This is a true and unexaggerated picture of the 
way Deacon Walker and his provident helpmate used to 
entertain their guests when pressing necessity arose to re- 
quire it. 

Deacon Walker retained his physical and mental facul- 
ties to a great degree till past seventy years of age. In 
the summer of 1859, he became much debilitated with a 
dropsical affection. He was attended by the family phy- 
sician, who exercised all his skill by the usual operations, 
and by various treatments, to save his aged patient. It 
was all in vain, and on the 19th of August, at the age of 
seventy-two, he fell calmly asleep to wake no more on 
this side. 

Mrs. Walker lived and retained her health and general 
faculties about twenty years after her husband's decease. 
She still improved many opportunities for attending upon 
the sick neighbors, and comforting them by kind minis- 
trations. While thus visiting a sick lady in the neighbor- 
hood, she contracted a violent cold, resulting in pneumonia, 
from which she died on the 22nd of October, 1878, in the 
eighty-ninth year of her age. Charles and Sally (Barbour) 
Walker had six children : 

Ednah, b. in Falmouth, Nov. 9, 1810; married Oct. 15, 
1832, Elias Howard of Harrison. They had a son: 
Elias Howard, Jr., b. June 27, 1835 ; married June 24, 
1859, Alary Ann, daughter of Hon. Jeremiah Parker 
of Gorham, b. Oct. 2, — : children: Parker, b. May 15, 
i860; Charles A., b. Feb. 25, 1862: Harry, b. June 7, 



684 A HISTORY OF THE 

1865, all died in infancy. Jennie, b. Oct. 18, 1872. Fred 
H., b. Apr. 17, 1877; married Rosanna Gladu, b. in 1882; 
married Sept. — , 1902 ; children : Parker, b. May 30, 
1903. Fred Leon, b. Mar. 15, 1905. Mrs. Mary Ann 
Howard died Apr. 5, 1907. Elias Howard and family 
reside in Westbrook. 

Elias Howard, first husband of Ednah, was drowned 
from a canal boat, near Mast Cove in Long Pond, October 
20, 1834. She was married 2d, May 8, 1839, to Jonathan 
Whitney of Bridgton, b. Apr. 11, 181 1. They had a 
son: 

I. Charles Andrews, b. May 16, 1841 ; married Sept. 
3, 1870, Julia Sturgis Roby of Harrison (b. June 28, 
1850). "Children: Roscoe Howard, b. May 9, 1875; 
married June 6, 1896. Edith M., b. June 8, 1877, 
daughter of George W. and Nancy Z. Holland Tra- 
cy ; they have a daughter, Dorothy M., b. Oct. 25, 
1904; they reside in Harrison. Franklin Elwood, 
b. Apr. 17, 1877 ; unmarried. Jonathan Whitney 
died Apr. 27, 1888. Ednah (Walker) Whitney died 
Aug. 3, 1891. 

Lois, b. in Westbrook, Aug. 18, 1812; died in Harrison, 
Mar. 7, 1830. 

Henry, b. Sept. 5, 1814: migrated to Pennsylvania about 
1840; thence to Indiana, where he settled at Liberty 
Mills, Wabash Co. He married Olive Knoop ; although 
a prosperous farmer, he was noted as a skilled me- 
chanic all his life. 

Susan, b. Feb. 17, 1816; married John Burnham of Har- 
rison. They moved to Pennsylvania about 1840, and re- 
sided there, and in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, N. 
Y., and in Busti, in the same county, where they lived 
many years. Their last years were spent with their old- 
est son, Charles N. Burnham of Cameron, Mo. (See 
Burnham family.) 

Charles Barbour, b. Jan. 17, 1820: married Abby May- 
berry of Casco, daughter of Maj. Richard Mayberry, 
and resided in Harrison, Casco and Windham ; then 
moved to Mass., where they resided at Cambridge 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 685 

and Neponset, at which latter place he finally settled, 
and was employed during the last years of his life as 
a skilled mechanic in a large manufacturing establish- 
ment. He was distinguished for natural musical gifts 
of a superior order, especially for a remarkably pure 
and deep bass voice. He was for a time, about 1862, 
a leading member of Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert 
Company of Boston, widely noted in America and in Eng- 
land. Mr. Walker was educated in the faith of the Free- 
will Baptist denomination, but in middle life, he embraced 
the doctrinal beliefs of the Second Adventists, and wasa'.l 
his after life, a firm and consistent adherent of that 
faith, and was always noted for his sober and pure char- 
acter as a Christian. He died in Neponset, Mass., Jan. 
2, 1872. Their children were : 
r. Richard Henry, b. in Harrison, Me., Jan. 27, 1843; 

married Lydia ; lived in Maine, Boston, and in 

Brooklyn, N. Y. He was a banker and collection 
attorney in New York City and died there Dec. 27, 
1895. They had two children: Charles Barbour 

and Gracie. Charles B. Walker married Mabel , 

of Ottawa, Can.; they reside in Montclair, N. J., 
where he is a prosperous electrician. 
2. Susie Elizabeth, b. Aug. 21, 1847 in Harrison, Me. 
She resided with her parents and died in Neponset, 
Mass.. Aug. 9, 1890. Mrs. Abby J. Walker died 
in Neponset, June 9, 1904. 

Elizabeth Ellen, b. Apr. ii, 1828; married Granville 
Fernald of Otisfield, Mar. 26. 1854, and lived in Har- 
rison, and in Washington, D. C, nearly all her life. Her 
last days were spent with her daughter at South Water- 
ford, where she died Jan. 6, 1908. For children, see 
Fernald family. 

John Walker, b. in Falmouth, Sept. 3, 1791 ; died Nov. 
24, 1 79 1. 

Eunice Walker, b. in Falmouth, May 4, 1793 ; married 
Bela Dawes. (See Bela Dawes family.) 

Eliza Walker, b. in Falmouth, June 28, 1798; married in 
1821, Joshua Howard. (See Howard family.) 

G. F. 



686 A HISTORY OF THE 

WASHBURN FAMILY. 

CHARLES WASHBURN was born in Kingston, Massa- 
chusetts, August II, 1788. He was a twin brother to Icha- 
bod Washburn, the founder of the celebrated wire-making 
business in Worcester, Massachusetts. They were of the 
ninth generation in direct descent from Governor Brad- 
ford of the original Plymouth Colony. 

Charles graduated from Brown University in 1826, stud- 
ied law in the office of Levi Whitman, Esq., of Norway, 
and settled in Harrison the same year, opening an office 
for the practice of his profession as a member of the Cum- 
berland Bar. He married Zibeah Cary Blake, daughter of 
Grinfill and Mehitable (Brett) Blake, at Harrison, Novem- 
ber 30, 1826. She was descended from John Alden and 
John Carver, of the Plymouth Colony. 

Mr. Washburn, by his native talent, his learning in the 
law, and his character as a citizen, won a very respectable 
position among the lawyers of the count}', and was highly 
esteemed by the people of the community of towns in which 
he practiced his profession. He was rather tall, handsome 
of face and form, of gentle manners, and possessed the 
true attributes of a gentleman. From a natural defect 
of his right arm he was obliged to write with his left hand, 
but his handwriting, much of which is extant, is very ele- 
gant, and unusually legible for a lawyer. Mr. Washburn 
represented his district (Bridgton and Harrison) in the Leg- 
islature of Maine in 1830. His political faith was of the 
Whig persuasion. 

In the year 1836, Mr. Washburn gave up his law prac- 
tice at Harrison, and removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, 
where he became a member of the wire-making company 
of which his brother Ichabod was the head. In that busi- 
ness he was concerned as a partner for many years. He 
was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1851, 
as a Representative from the City of Worcester. He died 
in 1873, aged seventy-seven years. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 687 

To Charles and Zibeah Cary Washburn were born nine 
children, as follows : 

Charles Francis, b. in Harrison, Aug. 23, 1827. He re- 
ceived his education mostly in the public schools of 
Harrison. He removed early in his life to Worcester, 
Mass., with his father's family, and was, later in life. 
Vice President and Secretary of the Washburn & Moen 
Wire Manufacturing Company for many years, hold- 
ing the position until his death, which occurred July 20, 
1893. He possessed much of his father's suavity of 
manner, and a witty, vivacious type of intellect, an 
inheritance largely from the Blake side of his ancestry. 
He was ardently attached to the town of his birth, and 
to the memory of the people whom he knew, and en- 
joyed the semi-occasional visits to Harrison very much. 
He is remembered as a correspondent of the Bridgton 
News on themes pertaining to his boyhood life in Harri- 
son. He married Mary E. Whiton in Sept., 1855, and they 
had eight children, as follows: Charles Grinfill ; James 
Whiton, died young ; Philip Moen ; Miriam Whiton ; 
Robert, a lawyer ; Henry Bradford ; Reginald ; Arthur. 

Grinfill, b. in Harrison, May 16, 1829 ; died Aug. 18, 1829. 

Lucia Blake, b. in Harrison, Oct. 29, 1830. She married 
Rev. George Henry Clark at Worcester, Mass., and died 
at Savannah, Ga., 1859. Her remains were buried at 
Worcester. Her husband died at Summit, N. J., Mar. 31, 
1906, in the 87th year of his age. Their children were : 
Charles Washburn, unmarried ; George Henry, Jr., mar- 
ried, and lives in Newark, N. J. 

Grinfill Harrison, b. in Harrison, April 20, 1833 ; died 
young. 

George Ichabod, b. in Harrison, May 26, 1835 ; died un- 
married, 187 — . 

Henry Br.\dford, b. in Harrison, March 10, 1S37: died 
young. 

Maurice, b. in Harrison, July 25, 1839 ; died in 1842. 

Zibeah C.vroline, b. in Worcester, Mass., April 15, 1843. 

Maurice, b. in Worcester, Mass., Aug. 9, 1845 ; died Aug., 

1845- 



688 A HISTORY OF THE 

ZIBEAH CAROLINE WASHBURN married Ed- 
ward Otis Rockwood in i86 — . Their children were as 
follows : 

Henry Bradford, died Feb., 1896. 
Anna Washburn, married Ward. 

George Ichabod, married Ellen Cheever of Worcester, 

Mass. 

Edith, married Harry Norris ; has two children and re- 
sides in Staunton, \'a. 

Edward, Jr., drowned in Round Lake, N. Y. 

Elizabeth ; died young. 

CHARLES GRINFILL WASHBURN, eldest son of 
Charles F. and Mary (Whiton) Washburn married a Miss 
Slater. He is a patent lawyer. They have children. 

PHILIP MOEN WASHBURN, third son of Charles 
F. and Mary (Whiton) Washburn, born in Worcester, was 
educated for the church, and was Rector of St. Stephen's 
Church, Colorado Springs. He married Miriam Phelps, 
daughter of Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Brooklyn, New 
York. He died in 1898, and his wife died in 1903. They 
had two daughters, Mary and Miriam. 

G. F. 



WATSON FAMILY. 

JAMES WATSON, one of the very first settlers in 
Bridgton before incorporation in 1895, was son of Elipli- 
alet Watson who came from the old Plymouth colony to 
Gorham and married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. John 
Phinney. They had ten children. (See history of Gor- 
ham.) 

James Watson was born in Gorham Fort, Aug. 3, 1761. 
lie married first, Mary Davis ; second, Mary, daughter 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 6S9 

of John Carsley of Gorham, a sister of John and Nathan, 
the pioneers. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and came 
from Gorham about the same time as the Carsleys, and 
built a house on the Pond road, about a mile south of the 
village which is believed to have been the first or one of 
the first two houses in town. It was destroyed by fire 
a few years ago. The children of James and Mary Wat- 
son: 

Mercy; married David Potter Kneeland, Jan. 21, 1817. 
(See Kneeland family.) 

Mary F., b. in Harrison, July 11, 1794; married Gee Har- 
mon. 

Isaac, b. June 27, 1796; married Betsy, daughter of Jon- 
athan and Susanna Packard, Oct. 7, 1823. He was a 
stone mason and lived in Harrison A'illage where their 
seven children were born : 
Two infant children b. in 1823 and 1824 ; both deceased. 

3. Susan P., b. Mar. 28, 1825 ; married Heber Kim- 
ball, Sept. 14, 1845 ; lived in Harrison many years 
and died there . Their children were : Hor- 
ace, who resides with family at North Bridgton. 
Charles, residence in Massachusetts ; and Etta, who 
graduated from Farmington Normal School and was 
a successful teacher in the public schools; present 
residence unknown. 

4. Charles H., b. Oct. i, 1827; married Ann Reed of 

Lowell, Mass. ; has resided in Cape Elizabeth ; had 
several children; was a machinist. 

5. Alpheus P., b. Sept. 27, 1829; died July 2, 1832. 

6. Albert N., b. June 10, 1833 ; married Ann Goodwin 
of Somersworth, N. H., lived in Portland ; had chil- 
dren; he was a machinist. 

7. Mary L., b. Apr. 11, 1836; married Charles Hutchin- 
son of Wells, Me. 

Levi, b. in Harrison, Nov. i, 1801 ; married Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Elder Samuel Lewis, Apr. 21, 1825, and moved 
East. They had children. 

Sally, b. July 6, 1803; married Ebenezer Cookson. 

Robert, b. July 6, 1806; died in Harrison; unmarried. 



690 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Coleman Watson, a nephew of James, lived many years 
in Harrison and was a cooper by trade. He was twice 
married, the second wife was Paulina Tuttle ; married June 
13, 1847. Mr. Watson died April 2, 1849. He had a 
daughter who married a Billings of Gorham. 



WESTON FAMILY. 

The Westons of Harrison are the direct descendants 
of JOHN WESTON, who came from England in 1644, he 
being a lad of only ten. He resided first in Salem, Massa- 
chusetts, and later in Reading. He died in 1723, leaving 
four sons : John, Samuel, Stephen, and Thomas. The lat- 
ter married Elizabeth , and settled in Reading, 

Massachusetts. Their second son, Joseph, was born in 

1698. He married Sarah , and lived for a time 

in Reading, where five children were born. Then he came 
to Maine, where he married for a second wife, Mrs. Mary 
Vickery of Cape Elizabeth, by whom he had five children. 
The second son of this Joseph was also named Joseph, 
and was born in 1724. He moved to Gorham with his 
brother Thomas, and as early as 1749, was a member of 
a committee to run out the line between Gorham and Narra- 
gansett. No. i (Buxton). He was a prominent citizen 
of Gorham, dying there on July 10, 1770. On September 
3' 1755' ^"6 married Katherine, daughter of Daniel and 
Jane Mosher of Gorham, and they had five children : James, 
Joseph, Zachariah, Thomas, and Sarah. Thomas, their 
fourth child, was born in Gorham on December 4, 1764. 
He married Esther Turner of Otisfield, and settled in that 
town on the old home place. They had eleven children : 
Hannah, Sarah, James, Elisha, Catherine, David, Margaret, 
Susannah, Esther, Susannah, and Rebecca. 




Dk. S. LnioN Weston 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 69I 

JAMES WESTON, third child of Thomas and Esther 
(Turner) Weston, was born in Otisfield in 1798, and mar- 
ried Sukey Spurr of Otisfield on November 25, 1825. They 
settled in Harrison on the farm where J. Wendall Weston 
now lives, and their children were as follows : 

Samuel Loton, b. Mar. 11, 1830; married H. Elizabeth 
Mead of North Bridgton, Mar. 11, 1863; died in Har- 
rison, June 19, 1896. 

OcTAViA W., b. Feb. 18, 1827; married Major P. Stuart 
of Harrison, May 24, 1850; children : Rebecca, James W., 
Dana M. 

Zebulon, b. Feb. 18, 1834; was a graduate of Union Col- 
lege in 1858 ; married Martha Greenman of Mystic, 
Conn., Apr. 10, 1866; resides in Brockton, Mass., where 
he is the owner of an edge tool manufactory known as the 
Tuck Mfg. Co. He is a leading citizen of the place, 
has been a councilman, and is one of the trustees of the 
City Library. 

James Wendall, b. Oct. 20, 1836: married Sarah Robie 
of Harrison, Jan. 20, 1863 : she died July 23, 1863, and he 
married for second wife Sarah A. Chase, April 3, 1868. 
Children : Albert W., Lester, and Annie R. 

SAMUEL LOTON WESTON, oldest son of James 
and Sukey (Spurr) Weston, was born in Harrison, March 
II, 1830, and was educated in the common schools, and 
Bridgton Academy. He taught many schools in Harrison 
and adjoining towns, beginning at the early age of seventeen. 
Determining to become a physician, he attended the Maine 
Medical School, graduating therefrom May 20, 1854, after 
which he still further pursued studies to fit him for his 
chosen vocation. He began to practice in Casco, where 
he remained but a short time, there being a better opening 
in Waterford, to which place he removed in May, 1855. 
He remained there, until July, 1859, when he removed to 
Bolster's Mills, settling on the Harrison side of the river. 
He made that his permanent home, remaining there until 



692 A HISTORY OF THE 

his death, excepting the short time that he spent in Chicago. 
He was a successful physician, and had a large practice 
covering the larger part of Harrison and Otisfield, and 
extending into other towns to some extent. 

He took a great interest in educational matters, always 
advocating with all his energy whatever measures he be- 
lieved would be for the advancement of the cause of edu- 
cation, especially in the common schools. He was Super- 
visor of Schools in 1861, and in 1864 was chosen as a 
member of the Superintending School Committee to fill 
a vacancy for one year. In 1867, he was chosen as a 
regular member for a three years' term, and served again 
in 1870-72. He was again elected in 1877, and served 
continuously for nine years, making a service of seven- 
teen years as a school official. The town never had a more 
competent and efficient member of its school board, nor 
the cause of education a better friend than he proved him- 
self to be. He was also much interested in Bridgton Acad- 
emy, of which institution he was a member of the Board 
of Trustees from 1867 to 1896, having been elected to fill 
the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. John E. Dunnells. 

During his short residence in Waterford, he was elected 
to the position of Town Clerk. In 1864, he was chosen 
as Town Clerk of Harrison, and served in that capacity 
for seven consecutive years. It spoke well of his standing 
in the town that he was elected over a competitor who 
was a faithful official, and was supposed to be one of the 
most popular men in town. He would doubtless have con- 
tinued to hold the office longer if it had not been for a local 
issue that was made so prominent that it had a marked in- 
fluence in the selection of a part of the town officers. The 
careful and accurate records in the doctor's neat and legible 
handwriting bear witness to his faithful service. Occa- 
sionally will be found a verbatim copy of some document 
with some striking peculiarity, especially in spelling, or 
grammar, branches in which the doctor was very proficient. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 693 

He became interested in the Harrison Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance Company early in its existence, believing that it 
offered to the inhabitants of the town a safe method of 
insurance, and one by which they would be enabled to 
save a large amount of the money which they were then 
paying to outside companies. About 1877, he was elected 
as Secretary, Treasurer, and Agent of the Company, which 
then had assets of $5,095, there having been but little 
change in several years. The doctor had radical ideas in 
regard to fires and insurance, which he did not hesitate 
to express publicly, and put into practice in his management 
of the affairs of this company. He firmly believed that 
there were many incendiary fires, a condition that was partly 
due to over-insurance by the agents, and was very careful 
as to the risks which he took — so much so, in fact, as 
to cause complaint, and, in some cases, withdrawal from 
the company. But there were comparatively few assess- 
ments, there being one continuous stretch of twelve years 
during Secretary Weston's administration when there were 
none, the income from the new policies issued being suffi- 
cient to pay all losses, and other expenses incurred during 
that time. The doctor was a "pusher," and "pushed" the 
affairs of the company so energetically that in six years 
the assets had increased thirty-four per cent, being $6,772 
in 1883. 

Largely through the efforts of its efficient Secretary the 
limits of the company were extended to include the town 
of Otisfield. and later a still larger territory. In 1890, 
the assets had increased to $12,402, a growth of about 
ninety per cent in seven years. In 1896, the statistics 
showed the capital to be $23,572. During the succeeding 
year, when the company was largely managed by the doc- 
tor's efficient and capable wife upon lines which had been 
marked out by her husband, there was a surprising growth, 
the assets at the close of that year having reached $32,759, 
an increase of some thirty-eight per cent in one year. In 



694 A HISTORY OF THE 

this connection it is but fair to say that Mrs. Weston as- 
sisted her husband very much in his fire insurance business, 
especially during the last few years of his life, and did 
the greater part of it during his absence in Chicago. She 
was thoroughly familiar with all its details, and succeeded 
her husband as Secretary and Treasurer, serving in that 
capacity as long as her health would permit her to do so. 

Dr. Weston was a most radical temperance man, preach- 
ing total abstinence on all occasions. Very many thought 
that he was radical beyond reason, but none ever had oc- 
casion to say that he did not rigidly practice all that he 
preached. He was an active member of several temperance 
organizations, and was ever ready to raise his voice in 
behalf of the cause, condemning in the strongest terms 
intemperance of all kinds. He was a ready and effective 
speaker, always going straight to the point that he aimed 
at, and dealing "sledge-hammer blows" at whatever stood 
in his path, not only in the temperance cause, but in all 
things which he advocated. No one ever had any reason 
to misunderstand Dr. Weston's position on any public 
question in which he took an interest. 

He was not over friendly to secret societies, having an 
antipathy to the principle of secrecy upon which they were 
all founded. He was, however, much impressed in favor 
of the beneficiary principle which is made so prominent 
by the Odd Fellows, and joined Cumberland Lodge 
at Bridgton. He was initiated, and took the three de- 
grees, but never took any active interest in the work of 
the lodge, simply keeping up his membership during his 
life. Apparently he liked the charitable work of the Order, 
but was not favorably impressed with the work in the 
lodge room. He became much interested in the Grange 
movement in its early days. He was one of the charter 
members of Crooked River Grange, and was its first Sec- 
retary. He entered into the work with much zeal, and 
was a "power" in Crooked River Grange as long as he 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 695 

was able to attend the meetings. He did not endorse all 
that the Grange did, and never hesitated to speak plainly 
in regard to whatever met his disapproval, but his loyalty 
to the organization was never shaken. Until his death 
he was ever a faithful, working member of Crooked River 
Grange, and the same can also be said of his wife, who 
was a woman of rare ability, and an earnest worker in 
the organization. Probably no two members did more to 
keep up the interest, bridge over the difficulties, and light 
up the dark days of the existence of this Grange than did 
Dr. and Mrs. Weston. They never faltered, and were al- 
ways among those who pressed forward, no matter how 
dark the outlook. 

In politics, the doctor was a Republican, and, as in all 
things else, he was radical in his politics. For many years 
he was most emphatically a "dyed-in-the-wool" Republican, 
who could always be relied upon to vote his party ticket 
without question, but in the later years of his life there 
came a time when he took exceptions to some of the doings 
of his party, and especially in regard to the course of some 
of the officeholders and candidates toward the temperance 
question. He freely expressed his opinion in regard to 
these matters, and fearlessly "cut" his ticket whenever he 
thought that it contained names of men who were unworthy 
of his support — "slashing" it to quite an extent on more 
than one occasion. On national issues, however, he always 
remained a loyal member of the Republican party, and 
a firm believer in the principles which it advocated. 

He was most emphatically a good citizen, standing firm- 
ly for what he believed to be right, and always active in 
behalf of whatever he thought would benefit his town, or 
the community in which he resided. At about the time that 
he took up his residence at Bolster's Mills, the matter 
of establishing a public library was being agitated, and he 
at once championed the measure, becoming a leader in the 
movement, and doing everything that he could for its 



696 A HISTORY OF THE 

success. He not only believed in having a library, but he 
believed in establishing it on business principles, and on 
a firm basis. Hence he was instrumental in having it made 
a legal corporation, and started in such shape that the mem- 
bers would have no future trouble in carrying on its busi- 
ness. He became from the very start, a leading spirit in 
the organization, and was always active in all enterprises 
which were calculated to add to the usefulness of the li- 
brary. He was always anxious that it should contain not 
alone the books that would interest and amuse, but also 
those which contained information on all topics, and which 
would be continually available as works of reference. In 
town matters he was always active, and his ability made 
him prominent whenever he favored, or opposed, any meas- 
ure. He never advocated any measure in order to be pop- 
ular, but because he believed it to be right, and when he 
worked for any project he always did it with "all of his 
might." 

He was a good and obliging neighbor, a kind and gen- 
erous man. Although very determined and "set" in what- 
ever he advocated or opposed, he was a most jovial, social, 
whole-souled man, a man who was well read, and well 
posted in regard to all public questions, and with whom 
it was a pleasure to converse. He had a keen sense of 
humor, and always enjoyed a good story, or a witty saying. 
He thoroughly believed in the old saying in regard to laugh- 
ing and growing fat, thoroughly enjoying an entertainment 
of a humorous nature, provided that it was clean and proper. 
He was prominent in musical matters, and was usually a 
leader in singing at all public entertainments where he 
was present. 

On March 11, 1863, he married H. Elizabeth Mead, 
daughter of Thomas H. Mead of North Bridgton, who 
proved a most efficient helpmate, doing much to assist her 
husband in many of the enterprises in which he engaged. 
Dr. and Mrs. Weston were prominent figures in whatever 




Mrs. H. Elizabeth (Meap) Weston 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 697 

concerned the welfare of Bolster's Mills during their resi- 
dence there, and they had the universal respect of all who 
had the good fortune to know them well. 

They continued to reside at Bolster's Mills, the doctor 
attending to his large practice as a physician, and also en- 
gaging in lumbering operations to some extent. In 1893, 
he was induced to go to Chicago, Illinois, where he opened 
an office, and secured a lucrative practice. He was offered 
a government position in connection with the World's Fair, 
which was going on at that time, but was not able to accept 
it. At the end of seven months' residence in Chicago, ill 
health obliged him to give up his practice, and return to 
Bolster's Mills, his family having continued to reside there 
during his absence. He suffered from a general breakdown 
of the whole system, which he strove to his utmost to 
overcome after his return, but he failed to obtain relief, 
and passed away at his home on June 19, 1896, greatly 
mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. 

The family continued to reside at the Weston homestead 
after the death of the doctor until after the death of Mrs. 
Weston which occurred on June 22, 1900. She was born 
at North Bridgton, September 15, 1838. As the frequent 
references made to her in this sketch plainly show, she was 
one of the most capable and talented women that ever 
lived in Harrison. Her natural ability always made her 
a leader in any organization that she was a member of. 
She usually occupied an official position, and she always 
filled it in such a capable manner as to show that she was 
eminently qualified to fill a much higher place. In about 
a year after the death of the mother, both daughters mar- 
ried, and the well known homestead was sold to Mr. John 
C. Frost, who still occupies it. He had formerly lived 
where the youngest daughter is now living. 

The children of Samuel Loton and H. Elizabeth (Mead) 
Weston were as follows : 



698 A HISTORY OF THE 

Virginia Frances, b. Oct. 7, 1868; married Isaac Hagar 
of West Milan, N. H., May 22, 1901. They have one 
son, Howard Loton, born April 19, 1902. Mrs. Hagar 
was a successful teacher before her marriage, having 
taught numerous schools in Harrison and other towns. 
She now holds the position of Superintendent of Schools 
in Milan, N. H., and fills the office in such a satisfactory 
manner that she has been twice re-elected. 

Alice Mead, b. Feb. 2, 1881 ; married Melville R. Wilbur 
of Bolster's Mills, July 17, 1901. One child, Harriet 
Elizabeth, was born Dec. 4, 1905, and died when less 
than one year of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur have lived 
on the Newell Trafton farm in Harrison, the greater 
part of the time since their marriage, and have now made 
it their permanent home. Mrs. Wilbur has taught many 
schools, both before and after her marriage, and has 
always been very successful. She inherited many of the 
qualities of both father and mother, and is a woman of 
much ability, always taking a leading part in the different 
organizations of which she is a member. 



WHITMAN FAMILY. 

JOHN WHITMAN, one of the earliest settlers of the 
town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, was the ancestor of 
nearly all of the name of Whitman in this country. He 
came from England, and must have arrived in this country 
about 1638. He owned and lived upon a farm in Wey- 
mouth, which has descended from father to son, and still 
remains wholly in the possession of his descendants. 

THOMAS WHITMAN, the oldest son of John, was 
about twelve years old when he arrived in this country with 
his father's family. He continued to reside in Weymouth 
until 1662, when he removed to Bridgewater, Massachu- 
setts, and settled upon a tract of land which has since 
been called Whitman's Neck. 




Fkancis H. Whitman 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 699 

NICHOLAS WHITMAN, the third son of Thomas, 
had his father's homestead, and lived with him. He was 
born about the time of King PhiHp's War, in which his 
father's house was destroyed by the Indians. 

JOSIAH WHITMAN, the tenth son of Nicholas, who 
had his father's dwelling house and part of the homestead, 
was extensively engaged in the manufacture of shoes. He 
died of consumption when only twenty-nine years of age. 

REV. LEVI WHITMAN, oldest son of Josiah, was 
born in Bridgewater, in 1748. He graduated from Har- 
vard College, and studied for the ministry. In 1785, he 
was ordained as pastor of the Congregational Church 
in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. 

LEVI WHITMAN, oldest son of Rev. Levi, was born 
in Wellfleet in 1789. He graduated at Harvard College 
in 1808, and studied law with Hon. Ezekiel Whitman of 
Portland. He settled at Norway, Maine, in 181 1, and rep- 
resented that town in the Massachusetts Legislature in 
the years 1813-16. He died in Harrison, Maine, in 1872. 
His wife was Mrs. Mercy Adams Farrar. They had one 
son, the subject of the following sketch. 

FRANCIS H. WHITMAN, the only son of Levi and 
Mercy A. Whitman was born on Christmas Day, 1823, in 
Norway Village, where for over fifty years his father 
practiced law. He was educated in the town schools and 
at Hebron Academy, with the expectation of attending col- 
lege, but when nearly fitted his health failed, and he was 
obliged to give up his long cherished wish. He then turned 
his attention to farming, and was also for many years ex- 
tensively engaged in lumbering enterprises. 

He moved from Norway to Harrison in 1861, settling 
on what was then known as the "Sumner Burnham Farm," 



JOO A HISTORY OF THE 

but which later became somewhat famous as the "Summit 
Hill Farm." Here he resided for many years. Of quick 
observation, and possessing a wonderful memory, he had 
always at command a fund of information and humor which 
made him the entertaining companion of young and old. 
He was a man of much natural ability, and very few men 
were better posted in regard to the affairs of both State 
and nation. During his long residence in Harrison, he was 
one of its leading men, but firmly refused to accept town 
office, though he was frequently besought to do so. In 
politics he was a firm and consistent Democrat, and in the 
fall of 1879, he consented, much against his wishes, to 
accept the nomination of his party for Representative to 
the Legislature from the classed towns of Harrison, Otis- 
field, and Casco. and was elected by a good majority. This 
was the only office that he would ever consent to accept. 

A very large spring was situated on Mr. Whitman's 
farm, and certain things that came under his observation 
caused him to think that the waters of that spring possessed 
valuable medicinal qualities. He proceeded to make ex- 
tended experiments with it, and had it analyzed by practi- 
cal chemists, with the result that it was finally determined 
beyond a doubt that the water was possessed of medical 
properties which made it equal in value to any of the va- 
rious mineral waters that were then on the market. The 
proprietor placed the water upon the market, and advertised 
it extensively, with the result that a large sale was worked 
up, and the Summit Spring became famous at home and 
abroad, thus enhancing the value of his property to quite 
an extent. 

Finally, in 1888, the whole property, including the spring 
and farm, was sold to a syndicate of persons living out- 
side of the State, and Mr. Whitman left the farm where 
he had lived for so many years. During the remainder 
of his life, Mr. Whitman was something of a cosmopolitan, 
attending to his various business affairs in Oxford and 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 701 

Cumberland Counties. He died at Norway, June 7, 1894. 
In 1844, he was married to Martha B. Mayberry of Otis- 
field, who died in January 12, 1898. Their children were as 
follows : 

Mercy Adams, b. Aug. 16, 1845 ; married, June 13, 1870, 
Napoleon Gray, son of Hon. Albert Gray of Harrison. 
Is now living, a widow, at Harrison Village. 

Mary Eliza, b. April 23, 185 1 : married, Dec. 25, 1873, 
Albert Gray, son of Hon. Albert Gray of Harrison. 
Is now living, a widow, with her sister at Harrison Vil- 
lage. A. M. 



WHITNEY FAMILY. 

The Whitney family has been most numerously repre- 
sented among the inhabitants of Harrison, and it seems 
eminently proper that something in regard to the ancestry 
of our many fellow citizens of this name shall be given at 
the beginning of this sketch. 

The Whitney family trace their descent from Turstin de 
Wigemore, a Flem.ing, who came to England in 1066 with 
William the Conqueror, and participated in the battle of 
Hastings in October of that year. The family took their 
name from their residence, called Whitney Court, at Whit- 
ney-on-the-Wye. Each succeeding generation of the fam- 
ily married into the best families of England, and held 
prominent positions at the court of the king. The estate 
not being entailed, and the last Whitney of Whitney Court 
having only daughters, it was sold, but is still called Whit- 
ney Court. 

Thomas Whitney and wife Mary, belonging to a younger 
branch of the famil}', moved to Westminster, England, 
where their son, John, was born in 1589. He emigrated to 
America in 1635, and lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. 
He had nine children, from the youngest of whom, Ben- 
jamin, the Harrison Whitneys are descended. 



J02 A HISTORY OF THE 

Nathaniel Whitney, son of Benjamin, and grandson of 
John, was born in York, Maine, April 14, 1680, and it ap- 
pears that he was a resident of that town during his whole 
lifetime. He must have lived to a good old age, as it is 
known that he was living in York as late as 1760, and his 
estate was not settled till 1768. He married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of John Ford of Kittery, by whom he had ten children. 

Nathaniel Whitney, second son of Nathaniel and Sarah 
(Ford) Whitney, was born in York, December 12, 1709, 
and moved to Gorham from Falmouth, about 1769, having 
previously lived in Biddeford, where the most of his chil- 
dren were born. The hill in Gorham where he and some 
of his brothers made their settlement is still known as Whit- 
ney's Hill. He married Hannah Day of Wells, and they 
had nine children. 

Moses Whitney, son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Day) 
Whitney, was born in Biddeford, March 17, 1739, and was 
said to have been remarkable for his. strength and courage. 
He served in the French and Indian wars, and also in the 
Revolution, and finally settled in Gorham, where he married 
Susanna Crockett, by whom he had one daughter. Mrs. 
Whitney died when her daughter was but two days old. On 
September 6. 1763, Mr. Whitney married Molly Page of 
England, an old diary of the time, chronicling it as "a 
tall wedding," and by her he had eight children. On Jan- 
uary 22, 1792, Mr. Whitney married, for a third wife, Mrs. 
Abigail (Skillings) Kimball, by whom he had one daugh- 
ter, Sally, who married Rev. Joseph H. Phinney of Harri- 
son on September 26, 18 12. Mr. Whitney moved to Harri- 
son about 1813, and resided with his son-in-law, Mr. Phin- 
ney. 

ENOCH WHITNEY, son of Moses and Molly (Page) 
Whitney, was born in Gorham, April 8, 1773, and married, 
first, Hannah Newcomb ; second, Mrs. Kendall, mother of 
the celebrated bugle player, Ned Kendall; and, third, a 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 703 

Mrs. Dennett of Brownfield. He lived in Limington, Stand- 
ish, and Buxton, and subsequently, in 1810, moved to Har- 
rison, settling on the Joseph Phinney farm. He had ten 
children, all by the first wife : 

Daniel, b. in Limington, Jan. 22, 1793 ; married Jan. 19, 
1815, Susan, daughter of Naphtali Harmon, 2d, of Har- 
rison, b. Aug. 31, 1792. He settled in this town and lived 
many years on a small farm at the turn of the road lead- 
ing to the residence of Fred Whitney. "Uncle" Daniel 
had some of the best traits of his ancestral family. He 
was honest, kind and true as neighbor or friend and 
"Aunt" Susie was his perfect counterpart. Daniel Whit- 
ney died Mar. 24, 1873. Mrs. Susan Whitney died Oct. 
31, 1875. They had one daughter: 

I. Sarah P., b. Feb. 29, 1816; married Ebenezer Whit- 
ney of Bridgton, b. ; died Dec. 20, 1877. Sarah 

P., his widow, died Sept. 10, 1883. Ebenezer and 
Sarah P. Whitney had : Susan Augusta. Calvin 
Crocker, b. Feb. 22, 1839 ; married Sarah Blake of 
Gorham, Sept. 3, 1841. He died in Bridgton, Sept. 
30, 1896. She died Feb. 7, 1907. Calvin C. Whit- 
ney was a carriage painter of high professional abil- 
ity. He worked many years in the great carriage 
factories of Charles P. Kimball in Portland, Me., 
and in Chicago, 111. He also worked in the great 
Pullman Car Shops in Pullman, 111. Their children: 
Eveline Augusta, b. Sept. i, 1862; died Feb. 11, 
1907; unmarried. Margie Isadore, b. Apr. 3, 1864; 
married Willis E. Marriner of Bridgton, June 29, 
1889 ; children, Ernest Cummings, b. Oct. 16, 1891 ; 
student in Bridgton High School, college preparatory 
year. Frederick Whitney, b. Feb. 5, 1896. Evelyn 
Louise, b. Feb. 2, 1905. Fred Ernest. 3d child of 
Calvin, b. in Gorham, Aug. 11, 1867; married Emily 
Brackett of Watertown, JMass. ; and resides there. 
He is a provision dealer in Cambridge, Mass. James 
Cummings Sloan, 4th child of Calvin, b. in Portland, 
Sept. 19, 1869 : was grocer in Bridgton for years ; 
now of the firm of Whitney & Hobson, in trucking 
business in Portland ; married Georgia McGee of 
Bridgton ; they had one son : Clarence Eastman 
Whitney, b. Mar. 5, 1897; died May 6, 1906. Mar- 



704 



A HISTORY OF THE 



garet Edith, b. Nov. lo, 1906. Lillian, b. Aug. 19, 
1871 ; married Willis E. Crosby of Bridgton, Nov. 
— . 1901 ; children : Mary Lela, b. Aug. 20, 1903. 
Calvin, b. July 19, 1905. Maude Esther, b. Nov. 
19, 1873 ; married Edwin Rae Hill of Cumberland, 
Me. Clifford Calvin, b. Apr. 13, 1882; grocer; re- 
sides in Portland. 

Mary; married William Decker of Casco. 

Freeman, b. in Standish, Mar. 9, 1800, coming to Harrison 
with his father when he was ten years of age. He mar- 
ried Mary S., daughter of James and Mary (Stickney) 
Gray; and, second, Mrs. Melinda (Packard) Trafton. 
He was a farmer and resided in Harrison till his death 
Mar. 24, 1873. Their children: 

I. Stephen T., b. May 15, 1821 ; married May 4, 1845, 
Catherine Brown of Waterford, and settled in town 
as a farmer and veterinary surgeon. He died Dec. 
15, 1897. They had nine children: Mary, b. Apr. 
10, 1846; died in infancy. Irene L., b. June 10, 
1847; died June 23, 1865. Ann Eliza, b. July 11, 
1849 ; married George E. Tarbox of Harrison ; they 
have one child, Chester D. Tarbox, who is propri- 
etor of a flourishing livery business in Harrison Vil- 
lage. George E. Tarbox was engaged a number of 
years in the business of manufacturing clothing for 
Boston contracts. He has been an active farmer, 
and has served the town on board of selectmen and 
as a member of school committee. He represented 
his district (Harrison and Otisfield) in the Legisla- 
ture of 1907. He has been station agent for the 
Bridgton & Saco Valley R. R. at Harrison Village 
and is now employed in an extensive lumber business 
in Cornish, for the Maine Central R. R. Co. Frances 
D., b. Feb. 19, 1851 ; married Daniel Woodsum of 
Harrison. (See Woodsum family.) Charles Sum- 
ner, b. May 6, 1853 ; married Anna Decker, daughter 
of Rev. Gideon T. Ridlon ; their children : Harvey 
Sumner, b. Apr. 17, 1878; married Flossie Belle 
Winslow of Bridgton, b. Aug. 5, 1884; their son, 
Donald Harvey, b. Feb. 5, 1908. Flora Ethel, b. 
Sept. 27, 1883. She graduated from Bridgton Acad- 
emy in class of 1902, and was two years in Bridge- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 7^5 

water Normal School. She has taught one year in 
Harrison and two years in the public school at West 
Bridgewater, Mass. Her present engagement as 
teacher, is in a school at Melrose, Mass. William 
Henry, b. May 12, 1855 ; married Laura Ella, daugh- 
ter of Enoch and Susan (Lord) Whitney of Har- 
rison, May 18, 1880. Their children : Maud Agnes, 
b- July 31, 1882; married Stephen Winslow of 
Otisfield : have one daughter, Ethel. Adaline, b. 
July 3, 1885 ; married Clayton Wentworth of Brown- 
field. Guy, b. May 3, 1887. Herbert, b. Feb. 23, 
1893. Laura E., b. Sept. 10, 1899. Stephen 
Horace, b. Aug. 24, 1857; married Harriet Wald- 
ron Rodick of Freeport, b. June 14, i860; died 
Mar. 5, 1893; children: Raymond Rodick, b. May 
16, 1887. Herbert Chfford, b. Aug. 17, 1888; died 
May 9, 1889. Edith Miriam, b. Feb. — , 1891 ; died 
Feb. — , 1893. Fred A., b. Nov. 20, 1859; married 
Mabel Wheeler of Berlin, N. H., Apr. 7, 1862 ; chil- 
dren : Harry F., b. Apr. 26, 1888. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 
25, 1889. George Arthur, b. Apr. 22, 1894. Percy 
Thomes, b. Apr. 17, 1895. Howard Sharp, b. Aug. 
18, 1898. Infant, b. July 25, 1899; deceased. 

2. James G., b. Dec. 20, 1822 ; married Jan. 3, 1846, 
Betsy H., daughter of Seth Carsley, 2d (See Cars- 
ley family), and settled in town as a farmer. Mr. 
Whitney was a very intelligent and prosperous farm- 
er, and prominent in church and civil affairs. He 
was one of the successors of the famous first board 
of deacons in the Free Baptist Church, which office 
he filled with strict fidelity to the honor and advance- 
ment of the church and its sacred interests. They 
had three children: Charles F., b. Oct. 13, 1846; re- 
sides in Paris, Me.; married ; has a son: 

Karl; unmarried; resides in Harrison. Horace R. 
b. Oct. 3, 1847 ; moved to State of Washington ; 
married : removed to San Jacinto, Cal., and resides 
there. Eleazer P., b. Feb. 15, 1852; moved to Wash- 
ington about thirty years ago ; resides in Penton, 
King Co., Washington. They were all born in Har- 
rison, and are excellent representatives of an old and 
respectable family. 



7o6 A HISTORY OF THE 

3. Edward Kendall, b. Sept. 9, 1824 ; married Oct. 29, 
1848, Arvilla, daughter of Marquis D. and Sally 
(Nutting) Caswell of Harrison. (See Caswell fam- 
ily.) Children: Edward, b. Aug. 19, 1851 ; fitted 
for college at Bridgton Academy and Norway Lib- 
eral Institute, and graduated from Bates College in 
class of 1876. He was afterward employed at teach- 
ing in academies and high schools, during which time 
he learned the art of stenography. About 1878, he 
engaged as stenographer and typewriter for the New 
Home Sewing Machine Company of Orange, Mass., 
where he continued in service thirteen years. In 
1898, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Bureau 
of Statistics of the U. S. Treasury ; since then made 
one of the bureaus of the Department of Commerce 
and Labor. His efficiency in clerical service has 
been recognized by a number of honorable promo- 
tions to higher grades of duty. He married Mar. 7, 
1888, Mary Eliza Stone of Windsor, Conn.; their 
children are; Robert Buckingham, b. Nov. 29, 1890; 
a student in the East Washington high school. Clif- 
ford Caswell, b. May 29, 1892; is a student in high 
school. Harrison, b. Oct. 21, 1858; fitted for col- 
lege at Bridgton Academy in 1880, and graduated 
from Bates College, in class of 1884 : also from 
Harvard Veterinary College in 1887, with the degree 
of V. D. S. He has since resided in New Haven, 
Conn., where he has gained distinction in his pro- 
fession, and has been president of the State Veter- 
inary Association. Fairfield, b. Feb. 20, 1862; pre- 
pared for college at Bridgton Academy in 1882, and 
graduated from Bates College in 1887. He imme- 
diately entered the teaching profession and was prin- 
cipal of Greely Institute. Cumberland, Me., for six 
years. Since then, he has engaged in the superin- 
tendence of the public schools in a number of Alassa- 
chusetts towns. He is now superintendent of the 
schools in the town of Saugus. He married Aug. 5, 
1891, Alma Maria Brackett of Cumberland; they 
had a daughter who died in infancy. Mrs. Alma 

M. Whitney died — . Mr. Whitney married 

2d, Caroline Sprague of North Easton, I\Iass., July 
22, 1908. Mary Florence, b. Apr. 28, 1866; grad- 




EiiwAKD Kendall Whitney 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 707 

uated from Bridgton Academy in class of 1885 ; 
taught in the public school one year ; afterward for 
five years working as stenographer in Bridgeport 
and New Haven, Conn. She was a constant nurse 
and attendant to her father during the years of his 
last illness. She was married, Aug. 18, 1896, to Dr. 
Charles B. Sylvester of Harrison ; their children are : 
Allan Whitney, b. July 2J, 1898. Miriam Caswell, 
b. Dec. 31, 1900. 

Edward Kendall Whitney was engaged in brick making, 
near Cape Monday, three years, about 1850. In 1853, he 
moved to the homestead of his father-in-law, Mr. Caswell, 
and settled permanently as proprietor and manager, assum- 
ing the care and support of his wife's parents. He insti- 
tuted a number of progressive schemes for improvement 
and profit in farm culture, and some of his ideas and in- 
novations upon old, standard habits of farming, produced 
a startling efifect upon the public mind. Yet, in a few years 
his favorite ideas relative to higher modes of farming 
"caught on" with many of the most progressive and thrifty 
farmers in his own and adjoining towns; in fact, his suc- 
cess as a breeder of fine Chester swine and Jersey cows, 
and his large and productive orchards became objects for 
imitation and emulation on many other farms. Mr. Whit- 
ney was an expert in the art of tree production, and had 
apple and pear tree nurseries, from which he planted large 
orchards on his own farm and sold to neighboring farmers, 
many hundreds of choice trees for new orchards ; among 
them the valuable apple orchard of S. H. Dawes, one of 
the handsomest and most productive orchards of its size in 
the State. 

Mr. Whitney's herd of Jersey cows, raised on his own 
farm, generally numbered fifteen, but at one time he had 
eighteen. His wife was the butter maker for a number of 
years, until the labor became too arduous for her, when 
Mr. Whitney assumed the charge and personal manipula- 
tion of that department of the farm dairy. It is believed 



708 A HISTORY OF THE 

no similar farm dairy — so large in extent and so produc- 
tive of finest butter has ever existed in town. It must not 
be forgotten, but ever remembered, that, to the co-operation 
and intelligent assistance and encouragement of his wife 
was due successful results of his practical application of 
his advanced theories. There is abundant evidence of wise 
foresight in the present aspect of world-wide demand for 
the precise articles which he produced and which his farm 
has produced in late years, since his ownership and manage- 
ment ceased. It is sufficient to say, that though he may 
have erred in judgment as to the prospective profitableness 
of one or more schemes for money making in a pursuit 
quite proper for some farmers, the general methods pur- 
sued by him were judiciously carried out, and, as the world 
judges, his career was crowned with triumphant success. 

Near the end of the century, Mr. Whitney's increasing 
cares and infirmities of body and impairment of mental 
faculties compelled him to relinquish his oversight of his 
extensive operations, and he was led to retire to the quietude 
of his home, where, with the beloved companion of his 
youth and prime, he passed the remaining two years of his 
life ; the object of the kind ministrations of many sympa- 
thizing friends. 

Mr. Whitney made a profession of religion at the age of 
eighteen years, and joined the Free Baptist Church in Har- 
rison; being baptized with three of his brothers on the 
same occasion. He was zealous and faithful in his efforts 
to promote the welfare and prosperity of the church of 
his choice through all the vicissitudes of its history to the 
end of his active life. He gave liberally to the cause of 
the church at home and the Sunday-school, of which he 
was a teacher and superintendent, and to missions and other 
institutions for church extension. 

Although not possessed of a liberal education in the 
schools of his early days, Mr. Whitney was, yet, a man 
of wide information on many subjects pertaining to agricul- 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 709 

ture and farm management. That was not, however, the 
limitation of his knowledge or sphere of active interest. 
He read much and thought deeply on the political questions 
of the times and on the subject of the future prevalence of 
the power and influence of Protestant Christianity through 
the missions among the nations of the world. He was a 
true friend of public education and gave all his children 
a course of training in Bridgton Academy, fitting them 
to become competent teachers in schools of high grade. 
From that stage of advancement in learning, they each 
took up the work of self-help, and pushed their way 
through, without assistance, to the end of a college course, 
each graduating with the degree of A. B. Thus they at- 
tained the object of their ambition as they entered upon a 
higher sphere of achievement in professional life. Mr. 
Whitney's death occurred on February 14, 1897. 

4. George F., b. June 12, 1826; married Nov. 16, 1848, 
Mary Ann Bailey of Harrison. He has been a farm- 
er in Harrison for many years. In his earlier life, 
he worked at wire making business in Maine, Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut, about 25 years. Their 
children are: George F., Jr., b. Sept. 24, 1850; mar- 
ried 1st, Frederica Boody of Westbrook ; they had 
one child ; Fred ; married ; lives in Buffalo, N. Y. 
Mrs. Frederica M. Whitney, first wife, died in Har- 
rison, June 28, 1878. He married 2d, Susan Edith, 
daughter of Alpheus and Sophia A. Converse of 
North Brookfield, Mass. No children. Frank H, 
b. May 30, 1852 ; married July 30, 1873, Almeda F. 
Cutter of Westbrook : they had one daughter, Anna 
Louise, b. Oct. 17, 1874; married Oct. 17, 1894, 
Lewis F. Briggs of Harrison ; their children are. 
Hazel Erdine, b. Oct. 10, 1895. Frank Laurence, 
b. Oct. 29, 1898. Myron Whitney, b. July 11, 1905. 
Second daughter of Frank H., May Evelyn, b. May 
9, 188 1 ; resides in Harrison: unmarried. Frank 
H. Whitney died in Harrison, Mar. 11, 1887. Mary 
E., b. Aug. 15, 1855 ; married Sept. 27. 1873, Charles 
Roberts of Westbrook : their children. Edna War- 
ren, b. Feb. 23, 1878; married Apr. 16, 1903, George 



7IO A HISTORY OF THE 

L. Fickett of Portland, city electrician of the city; 
they have one son: John Roberts, b. July 4, 1906. 
Ralph Waldo, b. Nov. 3, 1882; is employed by the 
N. E. Telephone Co. Joseph Edward, b. June 9, 
1884; died Oct. 18, 1885. Ruth Elden, b. July 28, 
1885 : married Sept. 26, 1907, Alfred Day Venus, of 
New York. Leona Earl, b. Oct. 10, 1891 ; resides 
in . 

5. Eleazer K., b. May 13, 1828; married Jan. 6, 1867, 
Mrs. Olive (Tibbetts) Green of Harrison. He was 
a shoemaker ; they had one son. Ernest Freeman, 
b. July 17, 1867 ; married Etta Jackson of Gorham, 
N. H. ; had four children: Joyce Augusta, Nathan- 
iel Eleazer, Margie Evelyn and a baby, unnamed. 
Eleazer Whitney died Jan. 22, 1880. 

6. William Lyman, b. June 12, 1832; married July 3, 

1854, Maria Simpson of Cambridgeport, Mass. ; they 
had one daughter, Lizzie Emma, b. Aug. 2, 1866; 
married Elmer Willison of Cambridgeport ; lives in 
that city ; has a summer residence on the shore of 
Long Lake in Harrison Village. 

7. Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 25. 1836: married Oct. 10, 

1866, John H. Caswell of Bridgton. (See Caswell 
family.) 

8. Irene L, b. in Springfield, July 29, 1838: died May 6, 

1846. 

Eunice, daughter of Enoch, b. in Gorham, May 30, 1807; 
married Mar. 4, 1824, Simon Newcomb of Buxton and 
had issue. She died Aug. 29, 1856. 

Eleazer, b. in Gorham about 1809; died at sea in 1829; 
unmarried. 

William, b. in Harrison : married Agnes Smith of Lee ; 
they had three sons and one daughter — names and births 
unknown. 

John, b. in Harrison and died young. 

Eli ; no date of birth or residence. 

Moses, Richard, Samuel, sons of Moses and brothers of 
Enoch of Harrison ; no data. Molly, daughter of Moses ; 
married Lemuel Rounds and moved to Ohio, about 1800. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 711 

Betsy; married Jonas Gates and moved to New York. 
Lucy; married John Greenlaw of Brownfield. Susanna; 
married Seth Garsley, ist. (See Garsley family.) Sally; 
married Rev. Joseph Phinney of Harrison. (See Phinney 
family. ) 

GHARLES SUMNER WHITNEY. 

Charles Sumner Whitney has had a business career de- 
serving of extended mention. He was, in boyhood, inured 
to farm life and working in many places in many kinds 
of business. He was for several years in the employ of a 
cattle drover in the town, during which he had a good 
share of "knocking about," and roughing it generally. It 
must be said that in all his experiences of that rude kind 
of life, he was honorable and faithful to his employers, and 
rendered excellent service, sometimes under very unpleasant 
circumstances. He, quite early in life, developed a taste 
for working in the logging and general lumbering business, 
and a capacity for operating and trading successfully in 
different kinds of lumber. On September i, 1888, he made 
the first deal of importance, which was an introduction to 
a series of business contracts and operations which have, 
to the present time, marked him as possessing the qualities 
of a leader and master of men and of industrial enterprises 
almost unexcelled in their scope and variety by any ever 
before attempted in the town. It was on the date men- 
tioned above that he contracted for a lease of the saw mill 
of the firm of Philander Tolman & Go., with all its ap- 
purtenances and requisite water power for the term of 
one year. That contract was the first of a number of 
leases and purchases of mill properties situated on the out- 
let of Anonymous Pond, and experiences of successes and 
reverses in business, sufficient to prostrate with discourage- 
ment and despair, a man of less vigor of ambition and hope- 
fulness. 



712 A HISTORY OF THE 

Mr Whitney has exhibited a recuperative faculty that 
has been very surprising and gratifying to his many friends, 
who have implicit faith in his business talent and in his 
personal integrity, and in spite of destruction of his manu- 
facturing plant and valuable properties of furniture and 
stock worth $50,000, and of other heavy financial losses, 
in the few years past, Mr. Whitney is seen, the day after 
the great fire of 1907, calmly and courageously clearing 
away the wreck of his sawmill in preparation for rebuild- 
ing that and others for the rehabilitation of his extensive 
lumber and manufacturing trade. Now, looking backward 
to the scene of the destruction of the great chair factory, 
box and shoe block factories and sawmill, it is a wondrous 
transformation scene from the black desolation of one year 
ago to the present of great buildings and busy mills full 
of whirring machines, making money for the owner, and 
for the compensation of the skilled laborers who operate 
them. 

As an item of present history, it is deemed proper to show 
the latest exploit of Mr. Whitney by a brief description 
of the great barn he erected during the last year. It is 
located on the site of the late chair factory — the former 
wire factory building of P. Tolman & Co. The dimen- 
sions of the building are as follows: Length, one hun- 
dred feet ; width, thirty-six feet ; length of post to eaves 
twenty feet ; height of basement, twelve feet ; tie-up for 
cattle on main floor, sixty-two and one-half feet long, will 
accommodate six yokes of oxen and five cows ; five horse 
stalls, four feet wide, each. The basement floor is con- 
creted throughout heavily. There is a large watering tank 
for stock, in the basement, with a constant supply of water 
from the lake. There is a silo, twelve feet in diameter, 
eighteen feet high, with capacity for twenty-six tons of 
ensilage. Another silo is to be installed the present year. 
The contents of a full silo is estimated to feed seven cows, 
forty pounds each per day, for six months. In one end. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. "IT, 

on the main floor, are to be two finished rooms for family 
use, and one finished room in basement. There is to be 
this year, cooking apparatus for steam cooking of feed 
for hogs, etc., of which there are several breeding animals 

of . There is a Westinghouse motor for cutting 

ensilage and operating hay fork and electric lighting is 
obtained by a d^Tiamo located in the sawmill, nearby. The 
building is thoroughly boarded and covered with metallic 
sheathing, rendering it comparatively fire-proof externally. 
This latest establishment is only one of numerous innova- 
tions and useful improvements introduced by Mr. Whitney 
in the course of his business career. 

G. F. 



WILLARD FAMILY. 

Two families of this name have long lived in Harrison, 
and are yet represented by descendants living in Bridgton 
and in Westbrook or Portland. SAMUEL WILLARD 
settled early on the farm now owned by James Fleck, and 
raised a family of eight children. His wife's family name 
is not known. Mr. Willard was a leader in public affairs 
and was the first town clerk, and chairman of the first 
board of selectmen in 1805. He served as town clerk con- 
secutively for eight years and was elected to the offices of 
selectmen and town treasurer, at dift'erent times during 
the first twelve years, and as moderator and treasurer in 
1818-19-20. He was many years a Justice of the Peace, 
acquiring the title of "Squire Willard" by which he is 
remembered to the present time. His children were : 

Cynthia, b. July 14, 1804 ; married Alonzo Robbins of 
Waterford, June 11, 1829; died June 19, 1830. They 
had a daughter, Cynthia Robbins, no further record. 

Id.\, b. May 2, 1806. 



714 A HISTORY OF THE 

DoRLisKA, b. June 14, 1808 ; married Lovell Chadbourne 
(See Chadbourne family.) 

Sarah, b. Mar. 12, 181 1. 

Samuel S., b. July 10, 1813: lived in Westbrook. 

Elizabeth, b. July 2, 1816. 

Rebecca, b. Mar. 12, 1819; married Daniel Mayberry, Apr. 
19, 1840; she lived long in Harrison, where her husband 
was a very active business man, and where her children 
were bom and raised. Mr. Mayberry moved, late in life, 
to Deering and was in trade in Portland a number of 
years in the sixties. 

George, b. Apr. 24, 1823; died Oct. 25, 1832. 

Samuel Willard, Esq., died March 11, 1849. 

BENJAMIN WILLARD, probably a cousin to Samuel, 
Esq., also settled early in Harrison, on the farm now occu- 
pied by Karl Whitney, near the "Floral Lawn" farm of 

Mr. William H. Briggs. He married Sarah , June 16, 

1805. Children : 

Otho, b. Mar. 7, 1806; died in childhood. 

Eunice, b. June 6, 1809 ; died , unmarried. 

Sarah, b. Apr. 28, 1813; died Oct. 6, 1815. 
Nancy, b. Dec. 21, 1818; died Feb. 28, 1823. 
Nancy, b. May 14, 1823 ; died Sept. 10, 1825. 

Mr. Benjamin Willard died in Harrison . Mrs. 

Sarah Willard died in 1876, aged nearly one hundred years. 



WITHAM FAMILY. 

The families of this name who have lived in Harrison 
are descended from THOMAS WITHAM, an early comer 
to the Massachusetts Colony, who died at Cape Ann, in 
1653. The descent from Thomas is traced through several 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 715 

generations of families of the Witham name who have Hved 
in New Gloucester, whose ancestors came from Cape Ann. 
The first one who lived here was 

Jeremi.\h, who located a short distance south from the 
homestead of Nathan Carsley, the pioneer, at the corner 
of the road leading to Scribner's Mills. He married 
Polly Bennett. He sold his farm to his brother Daniel 
and moved to Poland. His children were: Isaac, Jacob, 
Ira, Ebenezer, Jeremiah, Sarah, Mary, and others who 
died in infancy. 

Daniel, brother of Jeremiah, married Elizabeth Knight. 
He was a farmer and a good citizen ; noted for being 
very corpulent, one of the largest men ever seen in town. 
Their children : 

1. Tamson, b. Dec. 31, 1810; was a teacher in the 

common schools and a woman of decided Christian 
character. She was long an esteemed member of 
the Free Baptist Church. She married Spofford In- 
galls as second wife ; they had one daughter, So- 
phronia Emma, who married Smith Gilkey, Aug. 27, 
1875; their children were: Lillian Georgia, b. Nov. 
4, 1876; married Mar. 13, 1895, Edward Green- 
leaf Emerson of Harrison ; they reside in South 
Water ford. Mr. Emerson is proprietor of the for- 
mer Dudley's water power and mills on Bear River, 
and engaged extensively in the manufacture and 
trade in lumber ; also a farmer. Carrie Bell, b. 

Sept. I, 1878: married Oct. i, , John Gibson 

of Gorham, Me. 

2. Sophronia, b. Dec. 12, 1812; married Spofford In- 
galls for his first wife, 1848; she died in a few years 
after marriage. 

3. Charlotte, b. July 5, 1814; married John Lakin ot 

Harrison. (See Lakin family.) 

4. Nancy, b. Dec. 20, 1815; married Porter Barker of 

Bridgton. 

5. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 7, 1817. 

6. Daniel, Jr., b. Oct. 23, 1818; died young. 

7. Abner K., b. Mar. 23, 1820. 

8. Susan, b. Sept. 13, 1822. 



7It> A HISTORY OF THE 

9. Clarinda, b. Feb. 10, 1824. 
ID. Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1825. 
II. Charles W., b. July 18, 1827. 

Isaac, married Sally Tracy; lived near the home of Dea. 
Seth Carsley, the present Roberts residence ; no particu- 
lars. 

Jacob, married Hannah Harmon. 

Sally. 

Lucy. 

Lydia, married Leander Harmon of Harrison. (See Har- 
mon family.) 

Pattie, never married. 

Ira, died young. 

Ebenezer, died young. 

Jeremiah ; no other account. 

Mary; died young. 

MOSES WITHAM, a native of New Gloucester, born 

May 6, 1823, settled here about . He married Mary 

Pride, born December 15, 1825, daughter of Daniel and 
Elizabeth K. Witham, and raised a large family as follows : 

Laura Etta, b. Mar. 20, 1848 ; died Jan. 25, 1908. 

George Lincoln, b. Jan. 31, 1850; died Nov. 8, 1870. 

Joseph Warren, b. Dec. 23, 1852 ; married May Matilda, 
b. Nov. 29, 1857, daughter of Joseph Warren and Eliz- 
abeth Earle Dudley. Children : They have one daughter, 
Maude Elizabeth, b. Mar. 15, 1878. ]\Ir. Witham is a 
merchant and resides at North Bridgton. 

Byron Colby, b. Jan. 7, 1855 ; resides in Westbrook, Me. 

John Fremont, b. Aug. 22, 1856; married Nov. 12, 1880, 
Cora Bell, daughter of Franklin and Elizabeth J. (Hall) 
Chute. Their children: 

I. Lester Franklin, b. June 26, 1881 ; married Mary 
Bell Wood of Buckfield. Children : Lawrence John, 
b. Dec. 19, 1904. Willard Wood, b. Aug. 7, 1906. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 717 

2. Leroy Clayton, b. Aug. 15, 1882; married Florence 

Purington of Westbrook. They have one daughter, 
Dorothy Ellen, b. July 29, 1906. 

3. Florence ; married Walter Dyer of Otisfield ; chil- 

dren : Shirley Witham, b. Apr. 11, 1905. Maurice 
Blenn, b. Sept. 24, igo6. 

Elizabeth Ella, b. Apr. 19, 1858. 

Anna Florence, b. Jan. 9, 1861 ; died May 6, 1862. 

Annie May, b. Nov. 25, 1862 ; died July 23, 1903. 

Wilbur Curtis, b. Jan. 21, 1864. 

Wesley Ellsworth, b. May 23, 1867; resides in West- 
brook, Me. 

George Willis, b. June 13, 1871 ; died Sept. 13, 1871. 



WOODSUM FAMILY. 

This was a truly pioneer family in Harrison. Berwick, 
York County, was the place of their first settlement, whence 
came JOHN WOODSUM (born in Berwick), before 1800, 
and settled. He was a builder and helped erect some of the 
finest frame houses in town. He was chosen surveyor of 
lumber at the first town meeting held after its incorpora- 
tion. He was married to Rebecca Kimball, probably of 
Berwick, before coming here. He died !March 17, 1820; 
she died October 3, 1862. They had ten children, born as 
follows : 

Polly, b. in Berwick in 1797 ; married Lebbeus Caswell, 
son of Simeon, the pioneer, Oct. 24, 1820, and settled 
in Harrison. (See Caswell family.) 

D.wiD, b. in Harrison (then Otisfield), Oct. 14. 1801 ; mar- 
ried Eliza (Walker) Howard, widow of Joshua Howard 
(See Howard family), and settled near the head of 
Anonymous Pond. Mr. Woodsum was a man of most 
kindly traits of character ; though uncultured in the 
learning and society manners of the gay world, he was 
a shrewd, good manager of his own afliairs and was 



7l8 A HISTORY OF THE 

greatly beloved as an honest, trustful and trusty neighbor 
and townsman. He was so original in uttering impromptu 
expressions on many occasions, that they are often re- 
peated to this day, and perpetuate his reputation as a 
man of genuine wit and wisdom. "Uncle David" was 
possessed of positive ideas on the subject of religion, 
preaching the gospel and some of the popular methods 
of trying to win the impenitent to conversion, and he has 
been known to call those methods in question by illus- 
trative arguments quite as effective as they were amusing 
to those who heard them. He died in 1882. 

John, b. in Harrison, Sept. 3, 1805; died Apr. 9, 1882; 
married Chloe, daughter of Joshua and Chloe (Edson) 
Howard of Harrison, Jan. i, 1834; he was a farmer by 
occupation, and spent his life on an excellent farm near 
the head of Anonymous Pond. Their children were : 
I. Susan Augusta, b. May 11, 1834: married ist, June 
21, Sigmund Backman ; lived in Farmington and 
Harrison, Me. Their children were: Leah, b. Mar. 
17, 1852; married Mar. 13, 1869, Fred A. Ring of 
Harrison ; died in Bridgton, Sept. 22, 1873. Her- 
man Sigmund, b. Nov. 27, 1855 ; married Cynthia 
Smith of California; went to California in 1871, 
and lived for a time at Riverside ; since then has 
settled in Poplar, Tulare County. Howard Sidney, 
b. July 5, 1861 ; was educated in the public schools 
and in Bridgton Academy ; was of an excellent 
moral character and life ; went to California in Feb., 
1882 ; married Addie Dale of Poplar, Tulare Co., Cal. ; 
they had three children : Effie, Charlie and Mabel ; 
he was a member of the Board of Education of Tu- 
lare County ; he was an architect and builder, and 
was killed by falling from a building, Aug. 6, 1906. 
Cora Gretchen, b. Mar. 9, 1865, in Harrison ; grad- 
uated from Bridgton Academy in 1882; was a teach- 
er in the public schools in Maine until 1890. She went 
to California in 1891, and in the same year was mar- 
ried to John Griffith of Bakersfield, Cal. : they had 
children: Leah Zada, b. in California, Sept. 3, 1892; 
is a student in Bridgton Academy. Frank Howard, 
b. Oct. 22, 1897, in Bridgton, Me. Mrs. Cora G. 
Griffith married 2d, Edgar L. Mayberry of Bridg- 
ton, Dec. 21, 1902. They reside in North Bridgton. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. Jig 

Mrs. Susan A. Backman married 2d, John Dudley 
of Waterford, Me., born Jan. 17, 1837; died Aug. 
23. 1873- 

2. John E(hvin, b. June 28, 1836; married Frances El- 

len Foye of Portland, Dec. 9, 1875; children: Jo- 
seph Edwin, b. Feb. 13, 1877. Grace May, b. Feb. 
13, 1879. John E. Woodsum was a member of 
the 8th Vt. Regt. of Inf., serving in the department 
of the Gulf, during the Civil War. He is a skilled 
mechanic ; resides in Portland. 

3. Silas Blake, b. Jan. 22, 1839 ; he enlisted and was 
mustered into the U. S. volunteer service in the Civil 
War, Nov. 15, 1861, in Capt. Moses M. Robinson's 
Co. G, I2th Regt. Me. Inf., and served honorably as 
corporal until attacked by disease. He was sent to 
military hospital in New Haven, Conn., where he 
died Aug. 22, 1863. 

4. Elias Howard, b. July 14, 1841 ; he was possessed 
of fine mechanical and inventive genius, was a mill- 
wright and machinist, and was the author of several 
valuable inventions upon which letters patent were 
granted by the U. S. Patent ofiice. He was em- 
ployed as an engineer and skilled machinist by the 
proprietors of the Norway shoe factory a number 
of years, and owned a handsome residence in that 
village, where his children were born. He married 
Mary, daughter of Parker Lakin of Harrison. Dec. 
25, 1869, Mr. Woodsum moved to Portsmouth, N. H., 
where he was employed as engineer in a large shoe 
factory ; he was killed July 29, 1893, by a 
boiler explosion. They had two sons : Arthur ; a 
graduate of Norway high school, Bridgton Academy, 
and School of Technology in Boston ; succeeded 
his father as engineer in Portsmouth, N. H. Bertie, 
married Pearl Morgan of New Orleans and resides 
in that city ; they have one son. 

5. Chloe Jane, b. July 7, 1844; died Nov. 24, 1862. 

6. Daniel, b. Mar. 12, 1847: married Frances D., daugh- 
ter of Stephen T. and Catherine (Brown) Whitney 
of Harrison. He was a skilled machinist and engi- 
neer, and in company with his brother, Frank M., 
invented a superior type of turbine water wheel in 



720 A HISTORY OF THE 

their early life. They worked at Harrison a few 
years in a machine shop, and subsequently went 
to New Hampshire, and built several steamboats to 
run on Lake Sunapee, owning the line for transpor- 
tation of passengers and freight and for excursion 
use on that fine lake which is surrounded by several 
fashionable summer resorts. They had a son : Silas 
Melvin. He was a brilliant scholar ; graduated from 
Bridgton Academy in 1889 ; studied law in New 
York. He was obliged to go to Denver, Colo., on 
account of ill health, but finished his law studies 
there and was admitted to the Bar. He died in 
Denver in 1900. He married Miss Estelle Hubbard 
of New York, a fine singer in New York and Phila- 
delphia churches. She died in . A second son, 

Edgar, b. Feb. 13, 1877, lives with his mother in 
Newport, R. I., unmarried. 

7. Frank Melvin, b. Sept. 10, 1849; married Jessie 

Young of Sunapee, N. H. ; he is, the same as his 
brother Daniel, an accomplished machinist and me- 
chanical engineer and joint owner of steam naviga- 
tion on Lake Sunapee. 

8. Marietta, b. Feb. 2, 1852 ; died in May, 1852. 

9. Clarence Stevens, b. June 9, 1856: married Nov. 17, 

1875, Alice R. Kimball of Waterford; died Aug. 2, 
1877; they had a son, Walter, who is a govern- 
ment engineer on the Panama Canal. 

Artemas, b. Jan. 13. 1807 : married Nancy Baker of Water- 
ford ; settled first in Otisfield on Oak Hill and after- 
ward moved to South Harrison as a farmer ; he was an 
excellent man as neighbor and townsman ; he died in 
the West. Their children: 

1. David, b. in 1830; married Araxzene, daughter of 

Phineas Thompson of Harrison. They had a son, 
David, b. Apr. 17, 1855, who is in the service of 
the Panama Commission. 

2. Mary Louisa, b. in 1833 ; died in 1849. 

3. Rebecca, b. in 1875. She was a well educated woman 

and a popular and successful teacher in the public 
schools. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 



4. Nancy, b. in 18 — ; married Emery in Lewiston, 

Me. They had one son, Herbert; he died in a 
western State. There were several boys who died 
young. 

5. Ellen, b. about 1840; married Mark Wetzler of 
Rickendorf , Germany ; they resided many years in 
Norwa}', Me., where he died Nov. 27, 1908, aged 76 
years. They had one daughter. Rose, who married 
Henry Thurston of Portland, where they reside. 
They have two children: Herbert and Roland. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 25, 1808, in Harrison ; married Luther 
Willoughby of Holderness, N. H. She died July 10, 1883. 
Rebecca; married Edward Scribner of Gilead, Me. 

Benjamin Foster, b. May 10, 1813; married Abigail Lin- 
nell of Otisfield ; settled on a farm in the Woodsum dis- 
trict as a farmer and lived there until his death, which 
occurred in 1878. His widow died in 1880. Their chil- 
dren : 

1. John Linnell, b. Apr. 8, 1840; married in 1872 

Mary Flint of Sweden and settled in Oxford, 
Me. They had two children : Cora, and a son. They 
live in Norway, Me. 

2. Evalina, b. Oct. 14, 1841 ; married Thos. A. W'ilbur 
of Freeport. She died Nov. 17, 1874. 

3. Benjamin F., b. Aug. 29, 1843; died Jan. 26, 1861. 

4. William L., b. Feb. 7, 1848; died Aug. 21, 1865. 

Brackett, b. Jan., 1815; married Lucind Lombard, daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Thirza (Moors) Lombard of Otis- 
field. Mr. Woodsum was a good farmer and an enter- 
prising citizen. He moved to Minnesota in and set- 
tled on a beautiful farm in Mankato in that State. He 
was successful in his farming in the West. They had 
two children: Sumner, b. July 2, 1848. Emeline, b. 
June 4, 1850. The parents are deceased. The children 
reside in Washington, near Puget Sound. 

Dorcas A., b. in Harrison ; married Dana Towne of Bos- 
ton. They have two children: Walter, b. in 1853, and 
Annie. 

Sarah K., b. Dec. 21, 1819; married Dec. 21, 1845, Albert 
Hamlin of Waterford, b. Nov. 20, 1816. Their children, 
born in Waterford : 



722 A HISTORY OF THE 

1. Harriet, b. Sept. 13, 1846; married G W. Mor- 
gan, Sept. 13, 187 1. They reside in Auburn, Me. 

2. Semantha, b. Apr. 4, 1848; married T C. Bell, 

of Waterford. Oct. 23, 1877 ; 2d, married Joshua 
Bennett of Bridgton, Me. 

3. Ann Maria, b. Feb. 3, 1850 ; married O G. Fish, 

July 8, 1874; they reside in Lowell, Mass. 

4. Mary, b. May 23, 1852; married R P. Bean, 

Mar. 27, 1873 ; they reside in Littleton, Colo. 

5. Walter Keyes, b. Oct. 27, 1854; married Sept. 9, 

1878, Clara J., daughter of Eben and Jane M. Bell 
of Waterford. Their children: Alice May, b. Sept. 
30, 1879; has a liberal education; in Bridgton Acad- 
emy two years ; graduated, A. M. from Maine Wes- 
leyan Seminary and Woman's College ; took part of 
college course in Boston University ; graduated from 
Posse Gymnasium, Boston ; post graduate one year ; 
she is now preceptress and teacher of oratory and 
gymnastics at Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Wo- 
man's College, Kent's Hill, Me. Jennie Bell, b. June 
30, 1884; is devoted to musical study and practice; 
has had good instructors, and one year in N. E. 
Conservatory of Music, Boston. She is an accom- 
plished pianist and is a choir singer. Flora Ger- 
trude, b. June 28, 1884; married Willard W. Ab- 
bott of Waterford ; he is a prominant farmer, dairy- 
man and has served several terms as Master of Bear 
Mountain Grange. Mrs. Abbott is much interested 
in Grange work and has served in an official position. 
Carrie Augusta, b. Apr. 30, 1886; educated at Bridg- 
ton Academy ; she is an expert accountant and is 
bookkeeper and cashier in the business office of her 
father ; she is also a pianist and singer. Albert 
Wilton, b. Nov. 9, 1890; is a student at Bridgton 
Academy. 

Mr. Hamlin is a man of cultivated intellect and versatile 
tastes and capabilities. He received his educational train- 
ing in the public and select schools of his own town. 
In his early married life, he lived several years in New Ha- 
ven, Connecticut, where he was employed in the wheel 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 723 

department of the carriage manufactory of Henry Hook 
& Company. In 1882-1883, he was a member of the South 
Waterford Wheel Mfg. Company. He was also proprietor 
of a flourishing wool carding business which is in opera- 
tion at the present time. In 1889, he became proprietor 
of the Waterford Creamery Company, at South Waterford, 
which has been in successful business ever since, making 
at height of the season, about 1,000 pounds of the finest 
quality of butter per day. He is also proprietor of an ex- 
cellent trade in flour, grain and feed for domestic animals. 
Mr. Hamlin is one of very few, now living, of the charter 
members of Bear Mountain Grange, located at South Wa- 
terford. He is a worthy member of Mt. Tireum Lodge, 
F. & A. M., of Waterford, also of Valley Spring Lodge, 
Knights of Pythias, South Waterford. He is one of the 
founders of the Waterford Dairy Testing Association, for 
ascertaining by scientific tests, the capacity of the indi- 
vidual cows in a herd of dairy cows for producing material 
for profitable butter making. This Association is com- 
posed of farmers in this and adjoining towns, and promises 
to become one of the best of the new century innovations 
on old, obsolete methods of dairying. Mr. Hamlin is al- 
ways a supporter of the church and other religious insti- 
tutions, but is non-sectarian. In politics, he is a Repub- 
lican of the Abraham Lincoln school. He is prominently 
interested in affairs of his town, and has held public offices 
of trust. Mrs. Clara J. Hamlin is a most worthy wife and 
helpmate of her husband; a skilled housewife, and equally 
interested in promoting the advancement of all causes for 
the betterment of society. She has for a number of years 
past, held the office of Worthy Secretary of Bear Mountain 
Grange, with great efficiency. 

6. James B., b. Mar. 14, 1857; married Mar. 12, 1884, 
Addie, daughter of John and Margaret Atherton of 
Waterford. He was a man of fine intelligence, a 
successful farmer, possessing excellent judgment in 
business and public affairs, for which he was se- 



724 A HISTORY OF THE 

lected to serve the town in public official station. He 
died Feb. i8, 1907. Mrs. Addie Hamlin, his wife, 
predeceased him in 1904 ; they had one daughter, 
Bessie May, b. June 4, 1888. 
7. Cora J., b. Dec. i, 1859; married William F. Bell of 
Waterford, May 14, 1879; they reside in Egan, 
South Dakota. 

G. F. 



MEMORANDA. 

Concerning families, persons and events of interest to 
Harrison people. 

SAMUEL J. EMERSON died January 18, 1899, aged 
fifty-four years. Sarah E. (Witham), his widow, died 
January 25, 1908, aged fifty-nine years, ten months. Mr. 
Emerson was an honored member of Co. H, 12th Maine 
Infantry in the Civil War. 

REV. JAMES PRENTISS RICHARDSON, first min- 
ister and pastor of Congregational Church. He preached 
the sermon at the dedication of the present church building, 
December 29, 1836. He preached in Harrison about three 
years. He was born April 20, 1797. He died in Gray, 
Maine, November 16, 1862. He was learned in theology, 
and was one of the most eloquent and graceful orators the 
Maine pulpit has ever known. To listen to his reading 
of one of the psalms of David, or a hymn from "Watt's and 
Select," was a delight, even to the boy of ten, who pens 
this note in the first year ayont the eightieth of his age. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 725 

JOHN E. DUNNELLS, M. D. He came from New- 
field, Maine, to Harrison. He married Mary Elizabeth 
Russell of Bethel, born October 9, 1824 ; died February 9, 
1895. Dr. Dunnells was born November 3, 1818; died 
January 3, 1867. They had two children: John, and Mary 
Elizabeth, who married Newell A. Trafton (See Trafton 
family). Dr. Dunnells was a learned and successful phy- 
sician ; possessed of tender, kindly sensibilities, a neighbor- 
ly quality that rendered him popular in social and political 
circles. He was a State Senator from Cumberland County 



DAVID FROST, a native of Norway, died June 26, 1876, 
aged sixty-six years, three months. Nancy (Whitney) 
Frost died Dec. 8, 1903, aged 86 years, eight months, eight 
days. She was a daughter of Benjamin Whitney of Bridg- 
ton, and sister of Jonathan Whitney of Harrison. They 
were very excellent and lovable neighbors and esteemed 
members of the Free Baptist Church. Mr. Frost was a 
well educated man, and a very intelligent student of the 
scriptures. He was a pillar of strength in the church and 
Sunday-school. He took much interest in the prosperity 
of the public schools and served the town on the School 
Committee from 1864 to 1870. Their daughter, Susanna 
O. Frost, died April 19, 1887, aged forty-seven years. 
Another daughter married and lived in the State of Con- 
necticut. D. Anson, only son, died in Harrison, August 
12, 1868, aged fourteen years. 

BENJAMIN RICH died October 14, 1858, aged eighty- 
six years, seven months. Rachel, wife, died May 5, 1869, 
aged ninety-four years. Henry, son, died April 15, 1879, 
aged seventy-seven years, nine months, twenty-three days ; 
unmarried. Joseph Fogg, who married Sarah S., daughter 
of Benjamin and Rachel Rich, died November 15, 1827, aged 
thirty-two years. Sarah S., wife, died January 28, 1877, 



726 A HISTORY OF THE 

aged seventy-three years, five days. Charles S. Fogg, son, 
died July 11, i860, aged thirty-eight years. George H., 
son of Charles and Melissa Fogg, died April 9, 1856, aged 
one year, seven months, nineteen days. 

SIMEON WHITNEY died December 4, 1894, aged 
eighty-five years, eight months. Joan, his wife, died Sep- 
tember 8, 1873, aged seventy years. Marshall Whitney, 
their son, born 1825, died in Harrison, in 1871. 

JONATHAN SPRINGER died February 16, 1845. 
Olive, wife, died January 27, 1857, aged eighty-four years. 
They had a son, George Washington, a bright, enterprising 
business man, well known in Harrison, before his removal 
to another town. Mary, married Peirce Scribner (See 
Scribner family.) Betsy, daughter, always lived at home 
unmarried. She died August 30, 1850, aged fifty-four 
years. The Springers were good neighbors and noted for 
their intelligent and quaint humor. 

JOSEPH GILKEY, born in Gorham; died April 2, 
1857, aged sixty-nine years, nine months. His wife, Mary, 
died December 28, 1878, aged seventy-six years. Their 
eldest son, John, lived many years in Portland ; was a car- 
penter and builder. Charles and James B., who had been 
to California, were both lost at sea on board the steamer 
Central America, September 12, 1857. Charles was twenty- 
seven years and eleven months old, and James twenty-six 
years. Edward K. died January 3, 1862, aged twenty-four 
years, ten months. He was a corporal in the isth Maine 
Regiment of Infantry at that time in camp at Augusta. 
Reuben died January 6, 1878, aged thirty-two years. Har- 
riet B., who married Holt, died March 7, 1893, 

aged sixty-six years. There were Susan and Smith — de- 
ceased. 



TOWN OF HARRISON. 727 

STEPHEN WATERHOUSE, a native of Poland, 
Maine, lived many years in Bolster's Mills. He was a 
blacksmith by trade and a very industrious and thrifty 
man. He owned several tracts of land in Harrison and 
Otisfield, which he cultivated successfully, raising excellent 
crops of corn, potatoes and hay. He always had a herd 
of four or five good cows and had abundance of milk and 
home-made butter. Mr. Waterhouse was a man of active 
piety, a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
a class leader many times ; a daily reader of the scriptures 
and supporter of the family altar. His house was the home 
of hospitality. His first wife and mother of all his chil- 
dren, was Lydia Hicks, daughter of Asa Hicks of Nor- 
way. She was a most excellent wife and mother, faith- 
ful and untiring in all domestic and neighborly relations. 
She died October 9, 1856, aged fifty-two years, eight months. 
Mr. Waterhouse married subsequently. Miss Sarah D. 
Stockman, who was a most worthy and beloved wife and 
mother to the orphan children. Stephen Waterhouse died 
in Oxford, October 17, 1871, aged sixty-six years, eleven 
months, twenty-three days. Mrs. Sarah D. Waterhouse 
died February 26, 1877, aged seventy-one years, seven 
months. Children of Stephen and Lydia Waterhouse: 
Harriet Newell, died January 4, 1844, aged seventeen years. 
George Osgood, died May 28, 1848, aged eighteen years, 
nine months. Elizabeth Reed, died November 24, 185 1, 
wife of Granville Fernald (See Fernald family). Amanda, 
married Charles Merrill of Waterford. They had a son, 
Charles, also a daughter, Flora. Amanda died April 12, 
1884, aged forty-eight years, five months. Luella died 
March 27, 1858, aged twenty years, ten months. She was 
the first wife of Almore Haskell. Matilda, b. September 
16, 1842, married Samuel Porterfield Stuart (See Stuart 
family). She resides in Medford, Massachusetts, with her 
eldest daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Harris. 

G. F. 



